Beneath the large hole, cut a small hole

Arctic adventurer turns his attention to climate change

THE adventurer, Sir David HemplemanAdams has visited the Royal High Prep School to explain how he is using his experiences to help raise issues around climate change through his charity Wicked Weather Watch.

Many people have a dream or ambition to push the limits of what they think they can achieve. This may be reaching a destination, climbing the highest peak or pushing the limits on what we believe is possible. David Hempleman-Adams has done all of these — More than once.

There is no doubt that the man standing in the school hall, waiting to start his presentation has adventure running through his veins. Being the first man to complete the ‘Explorers Grand Slam’ by climb the highest peak in every continent as well as reaching the North and South Pole, David Hempleman-Adams has seen the world. What he has seen has led him to take action by setting up his charity, Wicked Weather Watch.

Wicked Weather Watch has reached many pupils: the Royal High Prep School was delighted to be their 10,000th pupil, in February this year. Through their work in primary schools, Wicked Weather Watch ensures pupils have the answers to the questions they need to know. They also supply a wealth of resources to educate pupils about how climate change is affecting the wildlife and communities of the Arctic and the rest of the world.

David Hempleman-Adams is no stranger to The Arctic; he first visited in 1984 and has been visiting every year since. Through this exploration he has seen first-hand the changes that are happening to this fragile environment and he knows something has to change. He also knows that children today are ready to take on this challenge.

With teenagers such as Greta Thunberg leading the way, he wants pupils to have the information to ask the right questions and seek solutions. He is confident that young people are ready for this challenge and this is the driving force behind the charity Wicked Weather Watch.

Understanding that children are the future decision makers for our planet, the charity provides workshops for schools that give pupils unbiased and accurate information around global warming and climate change.

For now, David HemplemanAdams has taken a step back from record breaking achievements, leaving this to his three daughters. With two of his daughters holding polar skiing records, his third daughter recently broke the female altitude record in a hot air balloon. It seems adventure is in the Hempleman-Adams’ DNA. For India Gardner, from The Royal High Prep School, her encounter left her wondering, ‘if n Sir David signs copies of his book for fans young and old

he can do all of those things, I wonder what I could do’. Watch this space.

To find out more about

Wicked Weather Watch, visit www.wickedweatherwatch. org.uk