A SADDLEWORTH man hopes to be at the forefront of the battle against climate change by joining an arctic expedition.
Richard Glover, who lives in Uppermill, is looking to be on board as Global Warrior go around Svalbard, north of Norway, in September.
That will be the first stage in the group’s mission to provide data that is up to the minute when decisions to combat global warming are made.
Famous names including Sir David Attenborough and Sir Ranulph Fiennes have thrown their support behind the work of explorer Jim McNeill.
And Richard hopes Saddleworth can lay claim to being at the start of something huge.
“The long-term aim is to set up equipment that will test levels in the ocean, said Richard about the expedition. “The problem with a lot of data regarding climate change is that when it’s published, it’s out of date.
“So in terms of making decisions about what the right actions to take are, it’s hard to take them based on concrete, relevant data.
“Over the next 10 years, we’re going to go to the same point every year measuring the oceans, so they can say ‘This is how it’s changing over time’ and they can get concrete data over that period of time, which we’re struggling to get at the moment.
“This year is about setting the equipment up. Next year, the project will begin. It could be a case of us outing equipment at one point, going up a year later and saying, ‘This was ice last year.’
“Look at Europe with the heatwaves and fires, it’s no coincidence these things are happening but it seems the concerns and priorities of the people who can make decisions seem to be elsewhere.”
But how does the fight against global warming and climate change land at the heart of Uppermill?
Richard, 33, added: “A colleague of mine sent me a link to a competition that was set up by Jim and Henri Lloyd, the brand.
“I ended up winning a weekend in Dartmoor, which was a training and exercise weekend. Through there, I was offered a place on the expedition.
“At the start of July, I probably had no idea what was happening!
“But my passion has always been the outdoors. I do a lot of landscape photography and the plan is to take my camera and document it,
Because the Global Warrior mission is not Government-funded, attendees rely on sponsorship to get on board for the 10-day voyage, which leaves on September 11.
That means asking for a total of £8,000 to cover the place, travel costs and equipment – and it can be a combination of more than one.
Richard – who is originally from Lees but spent seven-and-a-half years living in Australia, where he met his wife – hopes the area can come good.
He added: “At the end of the day, no fee is too big or too small and in Saddleworth, there’s a big community spirit.
“It’s last minute but things really happened overnight but it means they can be part of something that will, hopefully, be world-changing.
“We find ways to benefit any sponsors’ brands too. As I’m taking my camera, I can get brands exposed up there.
“There are a few different packages to go for, starting from £250, and with the attention it will get, the bigger the package, we can talk about having flags and banners there, plus there’s social media.
“It’s backed by heavyweights in that field and it’s a great opportunity investment wise.”
IF You would like to help Richard towards making the expedition, you can approach him via email at ricaus77@gmail.com, or a Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/richard-glover-ocean-warrior.
You can find out more about the project at https://www.warrior-ocean.com.
It’s hard for a layman to know who to believe on this topic ?
Personally I remain deeply skeptical about the whole business, (and it is a business,) not that the cynic in me blames anyone for availing themselves of the funding and opportunities available to go on what looks a lot like an extended adventure holiday.
Nor am I alone in my disbelief; last years the joint winner of last year’s Nobel Prize for physics Dr John Clauser has signed The World Climate Declaration that states there is no climate emergency.
To me at 66, the weather both locally and globally seems but little different to what it’s been though out my entire life.
But it’s become social and professional suicide to question, “the consensus,” however science doesn’t operate on consensus it works by observation and by experiment and on proof and to my mind and to many other people as well, people such as Dr Clauser who are far better equipped to judge the matter, such proof is entirely lacking.
An extended adventure holiday? It does seem like that doesn’t it and funded by donations too. A nice gig if you can get it.
From what I have read they are not looking for donations but partnerships with businesses, so I don’t think this boy will be knocking on your door asking for pennies Geoff.
From my experience the training involved to be part of these are intensive and demanding, I know someone who has done something similar and if anything like that, it is far from a holiday.
Seems like you guys are just bitter that these opportunities passed you buy. This boy is doing something good, far more positive than you both are with such comments…
It states quite clearly at the bottom of the article, (did you even read it,) that they’re asking for donations, in fact that was what the article was all about.
For the record I’ve hiked and camped out on Dartmoor and in the Scottish Highlands at various times of year including winter and without any of that flash gear.
Simpler times.
Of course we are asking for you to support Richard in his quest to help humanity! In any way shape and form you can – but mostly morally and ethically! He’s courageous enough to do something really important about the crisis we are in and needs your support and help. He should be admired not ridiculed.
Brilliant, I’m sure a light equipped stroll through Scotland is exactly the same as a sailing expedition in the arctic…
Absolutely not! Richard is trying to do something really positive for our climate crisis. He needs your support and encouragement not your cynicism. Perhaps you’d care to look at what we are doing before jumping to misleading conclusions? Look up Ocean Warrior Project.
I’m amazed that there are still people with this opinion – flying in the face of indisputable scientific, peer reviewed fact.
As quoted above at least one of the many people who are disputing that climate change is even real has a Nobel Prize for Physics, (inconvenient to your position, but nonetheless quite true,) the opinions of such people are not to be dismissed lightly.
The, “science,” such as it is, is at best speculative and is very from from being, “indisputable,” which is why I like many other people are so deeply skeptical about it.
But I’m treading ground that I’ve already covered so I’ll leave it there.
What a surprise you’re a climate change denier and dismissive of someone trying to do good. Can add it to the list of other endearing qualities you’ve shown in this site’s comments section, such as cheering at the closure of the Coliseum and Greenfield train station ticket office.
“climate change”
Natural cycles
Nobody is denying climate change is a natural cycle.
Of course it’s natural. It’s also however it’s also a process that humans are having a significant impact on.
But what a surprise “angry tory” and “another realist” disagree.
I’m sure there will be a GB News special coming up you can sink your teeth into.
Fortunately your views are becoming outdated.