OMK and UN Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh, has just completed a hazardous 16-day swim, contending with extreme heat, high winds, big waves, sharks, oil tankers and container ships. The UN recently released a statement warning that we are on track for warming of around 2.5C by the end of the century but Lewis' 123km route from Saudi Arabia to Egypt has highlighted the devastating effects that climate change is already having on our coral reefs. Covering between 6km and 12km a day, Lewis swam over some of the world's most famous coral reefs, as well as through the mouth of the Suez Canal - one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. For 9km of the challenging journey, Lewis was joined by Saudi swimmer Mariam bin Laden, who has subsequently become the first Arab and Saudi woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.

Currently back in Egypt at the Cop27 talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Lewis is calling for 30% of the world's oceans to be protected by 2030. He will be stressing the urgency of taking action now, and the role that healthy oceans play in mitigating against the ever worsening climate crisis among world leaders.

Written by Arwen Thomas, current Head Girl and Alumni Committee member