Turning summits into stories
Can climbing a mountain help people see climate change more clearly?
I believe it can. I’m Vanessa Archontidou, a Greek mountain climber, founder of AWomanCanBe.org and a European Climate Pact Ambassador.
Over the past decade, I’ve taken on some of the world’s most extreme expeditions. My journey began with climbing the Seven Summits: the highest peak on each continent. Then, in 2022, I skied to the South Pole. Most recently, I took on the Peruvian Andes and Mount Chimborazo.
For me, these iconic climbs have never been about the summit alone. They are about bringing back a message – that climate change is real, urgent and something we can all act on.
Each expedition has tested my own physical limits, but also showed me that mountains can be platforms for climate stories that reach people everywhere.
“Mountains can be platforms for climate stories that reach people everywhere.”
Revealing the reality of climate change
Extreme environments are some of the first to show signs of planetary crisis.
Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador illustrates this perfectly: we expect the cold environments of the Earth’s highest summits to be covered in ice, yet this mountain’s glaciers are vanishing.
Across the tropical Andes, glaciers are disappearing up to three times faster than the global average. Since 1976, more than 40% of Andean glacier coverage has been lost. Around 90 million people depend on this meltwater for drinking, farming and hydropower. Their disappearance is not a distant concern – it is a direct threat to life.
The retreating glaciers, as well as the shifting snow lines and unpredictable weather on once-stable mountains – these are all visible signs of the climate crisis.
Painting a picture for people
The thing is, people don’t just want statistics. They need real, visible stories of climate change to connect with and act on – and in the mountains, I’ve found them.
Bringing photos, videos and stories from these regions back to Europe gives this crisis a human face and a natural context. This is how I try to educate people on climate change and spark conversations in schools, communities and businesses across Europe.
I also founded AWomanCanBe.org, a non-profit that highlights women’s voices in climate leadership. Through this, I’ve been able to combine my expeditions with public talks, workshops and media outreach – using extreme environments as conversation starters, while empowering women to lead the way in protecting the planet.
Climbing as a call to action
My latest challenge was the Women for Climate – Andes & Equator Expedition, supported by AWomanCanBe.org. This was a solo expedition, guided by local experts and planned in close collaboration with our all-female organisers.
At AWomanCanBe.org, we believe that local people are the best ambassadors of their lands. Working alongside them not only supports their communities, but also gives us valuable insight into how climate change is affecting their environment and daily lives. The Andes & Equator expedition combined climbing with documentation and storytelling, giving voice to those who witness the changes first-hand.
Learning from the land
The journey began with highland trails in the Peruvian Andes, continued with a visit to the Galápagos, and ended with an ascent of Mt Chimborazo. Each stop told a story of ecosystems under pressure – and of communities finding ways to adapt.
In Peru’s Machu Picchu region, new models of sustainable tourism – from visitor limits to waste management – are helping safeguard both heritage and nature.
On the Galápagos Islands, fishermen are protecting marine life by limiting their catch to artisanal fishing, while others focus on growing more local, organic food to strengthen food security and protect the islands’ fragile balance.
In Ecuador, around Chimborazo, local people are restoring high-altitude páramo ecosystems that act as natural sponges, securing water as the glaciers retreat.
Together, these experiences show that climate adaptation is not one-size-fits-all. It’s local, creative and deeply connected to the people who live closest to nature.
A message from the mountains
Even before the expedition began, its purpose was already resonating. Through interviews, media coverage and talks, we sent the message loud and clear: climate change is happening now, and action cannot wait.
“I’ve seen how a story lived with authenticity can unlock curiosity, empathy and commitment.”
As a Climate Pact Ambassador, my role is not just to speak – it’s also to show. Climbing is not my goal, it’s my way of making the climate crisis visible and impossible to ignore.
From students to CEOs, I’ve seen how a story lived with authenticity can unlock curiosity, empathy and commitment. Through mountaineering, I aim to inspire others to look up – not only at summits, but at solutions.
Visit Vanessa's Pact Ambassador profile
Want to hear more from Vanessa? Check out our reel on Instagram, where she reports back from her latest expedition.