Lewis Pugh

Lewis’s dedication to protecting ocean life, coupled with his commitment to justice, makes him a formidable advocate for environmental change. He has been instrumental in securing protection for over 2 million km² of the most biodiverse ocean areas, an expanse equivalent to the size of Western Europe.

His expeditions take him from the Arctic to the Maldives and from Mt. Everest to Antarctica, providing firsthand accounts of the Climate Crisis. Lewis emphasises, “This is the defining issue of our generation. It will impact every person and every creature, great and small. We need to own it, now.”

Throughout his career, Lewis has received numerous accolades. He was awarded South Africa’s highest honour, the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold Class), and in 2013, he was appointed as the UN’s Patron of the Oceans. Recently, he was honoured with the prestigious Mungo Park Medal from the Scottish Geographical Society.

Lewis studied law at the University of Cape Town and Cambridge University. His remarkable achievements and passionate advocacy continue to inspire global action towards ocean conservation and climate change awareness.