Swimming to the Coral Reef COP

Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Oceans, is no stranger to long swims in tough conditions. As an endurance swimmer, he pioneers swims in the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth while campaigning for their protection. Not only was Pugh the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world, but he was also the first person to swim across the North Pole. Now, however, he’s in a bit warmer water. Lewis is currently traversing the Red Sea ahead of next month’s UN Climate Conference, COP27, raising awareness of the impact of climate change on our oceans. 

As he began planning his adventure at the start of this year, Lewis reached out to The Ocean Agency. When he told us about his plan to shine a spotlight on the need for climate action to save coral reefs before the UN Climate Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, we knew we wanted to help however we could. Three months later, we were officially partnered with the project and found ourselves diving the reefs of the Egyptian Red Sea with Lewis and his team to map out the epic swim. And just a couple of weeks ago, we ventured back to the same shoreline as he began his crossing.

Some of the best coral reefs in the world are located in Sharm el-Sheikh, on the doorsteps of COP27. What’s so unique about the Red Sea’s coral reefs, in particular, is their climate tolerance. Multiple studies, including our 50 Reefs initiative, have found the reefs of the Northern Red Sea to have a greater potential to survive climate change than virtually any other reefs in the world. 

Even still, less than 1% of coral reefs are expected to survive if we fail to honor our Paris Agreement commitments to limit warming to under 2 degrees C. COP27 presents an opportunity for policymakers from around the world to set agendas for action toward achieving these climate goals. Some are even calling this the “Coral Reef COP,” which is apt considering the survival of the ecosystem could be riding on the outcome of the conference.

So, how will Lewis’s Coral Swim help and what can you do to support?

By bringing awareness to the impact of climate change on our ocean. We are on the verge of losing a planetary ecosystem that supports over 800,000 species. This would have devastating consequences to both the health of the ocean and over a billion people who rely on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods. But all too often, facts alone don’t lead to action. Sometimes it takes passion – seeing the lengths people will go to bring attention to the facts — to get policymakers to stop and listen.

In Lewis’s case, this has been called “Speedo Diplomacy.” His Red Sea swim is taking him from Tiran Island, Saudi Arabia, to Hurghada, Egypt. He is in the final days of his 120-kilometer crossing, currently battling the waves of the Gulf of Suez, surely trying not to think about the oceanic whitetip sharks that occasionally visit the area.

As he wraps up this incredible challenge, cheer Lewis on from wherever you are. Follow his #CoralSwim at @lewis.pugh and @lewispughfdn and send him a note of encouragement and congratulations, letting him know you support the message behind this mission and all he’s doing to bring attention to the plight of coral reefs.

We’re already looking forward to meeting up with him and his team at the Coral Reef COP in three weeks’ time — and working together to turn his epic swim into even more impact and action.