A world-famous explorer is to be honoured in Perth for his achievements.
Sir David Hempleman-Adams, vice president of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, will be in the city on Tuesday to deliver the Perth-based society’s latest Inspiring People talk.
Speaking in the Salutation Hotel, the explorer will be regaling audiences about his latest adventure, The Polar Ocean Challenge, which saw him and a hand-picked crew succeed in an attempt to circumnavigate the North Pole during a single Arctic summer.
As well as adding to Sir David’s list of exploration achievements The Polar Ocean Challenge also made a clear statement about the issue of climate change.
The challenge saw him and his crew face swathes of pack ice as they sailed through both the infamous north east and north west passages, two marine channels once totally impassable due to ice, which have increasingly opened up due to climate change and warmer weather in recent years.
“In my travels to the North Pole and ice caps I’ve seen up close the changes that are happening there, and it’s not good,” he said.
After his talk Sir David will receive his Scottish Geographical Medal which is one of the highest honours awarded by the RSGS.
The medal is given to those who have shown great commitment and service to geography on an international stage, and has previously been described as the Nobel Prize for Scottish Geography. Sir David will be awarded the medal for his lifelong commitments to furthering understanding of the planet and geography through the means of exploration.
Sir David said: “It means a lot to me being the vice president of RSGS. The society has a worldwide reputation, and has grown from strength to strength since my first visit. I think it’s a great organisation that inspires people of all ages.
“To get The Scottish Geographical Medal is a wonderful honour. To receive this from your peer group is very special indeed.”
