Vanessa Archontidou wrote her name a few days ago in the list of alpinists who have managed to complete the mountaineering challenge of "7 Summits" (7 Summits). After adventures and hardships a few days ago she climbed to the top of Mount Vinsen in Antarctica. In this way she conquered the 7 highest peaks of the 7 continents. The Greek alpinist is also an ambassador of the European Climate Pact.
Speaking to ERT, the Greek alpinist, who is also an ambassador of the European Climate Pact, said that the mission in Antarctica was part of the promise she has made that she will try to convey the message of the need for action against the climate crisis to all the corners of the world.
"What we wanted to do in Antarctica, by climbing the highest peak in Vincennes but also by skiing at the South Pole, was to send a very important message that we need to act on the climate now," she said.
She explained: "There is a very important tool, the Peer Parliaments, discussions with other climbers who participated in the mission. Peer Parliaments can be made everywhere, from the kitchen of our house. What we are trying to do is talk to people in our community and be able to ask them how they can change their way of life and contribute as much as they can, in their daily lives, to the change that will come from us. "All the data we collect will be sent to the European Commission and decisions and policies will be made based on them."
Regarding the Peer Parliament, she stressed: "Our goal is to invite people who can be in our neighborhood, anyone. We have discussions that have to do with MMM and their use, our car. "Because one of the things that was discussed is how we can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions emitted by cars."
At the same time, she spoke about the tragic, as she said, situation in Antarctica and the melting of the ice that can be seen with the naked eye, and how much the climate has changed inland.
Regarding how she set out to complete the "7 Peaks" challenge, she noted that it started timidly eight years ago. "It was not my job to do mountaineering, my love for nature and the mountain pushed me. Every year I set a goal and a peak and this challenge was completed with the ascent to Antarctica. "I wanted it to be not only a personal challenge but also to have the symbolism that I explained to you about the climate, about the whole world and all Greeks," she explained.
Vanessa Archontidou has climbed to the highest peak in South America, Cerro Aconcagua, in Elbrus, which is in Europe, in McKinley in North America, in Carstenz Pyramids in Oceania and of course on Mount Everest.
Sources:
1. https://www.pontosnews.gr/676777/ellada/i-vanesa-archontidoy-katektise-tis-7-ypsiloteres-koryfes-ton-7/
2. ERT, Perimeter show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZOqPQeaT6E&t=12s