News / Environment
Polar explorers return to Bristol
The first British crew to circumnavigate the North Pole in a single season returned to their home port of Bristol, four months and 13,500 miles after setting off this summer.
The challenge has only became possible due to retreating sea ice, and explorer and expedition leader David Hempleman-Adams wants their journey to raise awareness of climate change.
is needed now More than ever
After the yacht Northabout docked next to the ss Great Britain on Thursday afternoon, Hempleman-Adams said: ”We have demonstrated that the Arctic sea ice coverage shrinks back so far now in the summer months, that sea that was permanently locked up now can allow passage through.
“Permanent irreversible change in the sea ice landscape of the Arctic seems inevitable. A significant change in my lifetime.
“I see this possibility to circumnavigate the Arctic as one I wanted to take despite the risks associated with it, in order to increase the world’s attention on the effects of Arctic climate change.”
Read more: Exploring beneath Bristol streets
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