Climate change is the Everest of all problems, the thorniest challenge facing humankind.

I learned two basic lessons on Everest. First, just because something has worked in the past does not mean it will work today. Second, different challenges require different mindsets.

The blues is also existential and offers a sense of mature reflection that enabled it to be the leitmotif of modern life.

If you want to swim across the English Channel from England to France - you have to leave your doubt on the beach in England.

I think that I was slightly naive. I thought that if I showed people the beauty of the Arctic and the beauty of the polar bears that they would care so much that they would stand up and try to make a change.

Ultimately I wanted to be a pioneer swimmer, a distant descendant of Scott, Amundsen and Hillary, except that I would be an explorer of the water.

We need to save the Arctic not because of the polar bears, and not because it is the most beautiful place in the world, but because our very survival depends upon it.