Advocates for ocean conservation and climate change do not receive personal behavior exemptions in the name of awareness. The ends do not justify the means. Animal agriculture is destroying our planet. Reducing or eliminating meat consumption is the number one way any individual can reduce their environmental impact. Government action is absolutely imperative but individual actions matter too. Society is largely aware of climate change but lacks the self-awareness needed on individual actions that make an impact. Garnering attention through a long swim, especially while utilizing animal agriculture for fuel and nutrition, is not only not making a meaningful impact on climate change – it is perpetuating it further by ignoring the role of animal agriculture.

  • The UN named Lewis Pugh “Patron of the Oceans” in 2013.
  • There was no mention of what kind of food his personal chef was preparing on his social media. A 2012 Outside Magazine article described Pugh’s pre-swim breakfast as “cheddar cheese omlette, yogurt, salmon, and strawberries. ” Read more on the Patron of the Ocean’s diet in Outside Magazine HERE
  • The large support team Pugh flew in for his swim also included a masseuse and his photographer was fined $200 by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation for improper drone use. 
  • The agriculture industry is the number one source of water pollution. Rivers are especially affected. EPA Fact Sheet
  • UK Prime Minister Sunak announced the UK would be delaying its climate goals. 
  • Jon Riddler completed the longest solo swim done in New Zealand to raise awareness for the health of the Gulf of Hauraki in partnership with LiveOcean. He was fed meatballs during the swim.  LiveOcean posted billboards afterwards saying “Jono delivered. Where is the action?” 
  • A relay team swam for nearly 24 hours in Lake Superior to raise awareness about climate change.
  • Ross Edgley’s second attempt to break the record for longest lake swim failed. His first attempt failed miserably while breaking many conventional rules for open water ratification and focusing mostly on creating content for social media.

Questions to consider:

  • Should climate advocates be held to a higher standard with their diet and personal behavior?
  • How important is government action versus individual action on climate change and what is the relationship between the two?
  • Why are so many environmental non-profits reluctant to address animal agriculture?
  • Why haven’t climate advocates adopted a plant-based diet, or even a reductarian approach, as an effective weapon against climate change?