Pete Whittaker is a rock climbing ambassador for Patagonia and has climbed routes around the world, having famously all-free rope soloed Yosemite’s El Capitan in less than 24 hours – the previous fastest time being four days.

In the video (produced by Friends of the Earth and supported by Patagonia), Pete returns to Wharncliffe Crag – a popular climbing spot close to his hometown of Sheffield. Just two hundred metres to the east and west of the crags, the land is licensed for potential fracking.

Over seventeen thousand square kilometres of England is covered by oil and gas exploration licences, which could put large parts of the countryside, including countless areas enjoyed by climbers, walkers, mountain bikers and more at risk of industrialisation.

Talking about his connection to the outdoors, and the threats to nature posed by fracking, Pete said:

“For me, nature is about being outside and challenging myself on new climbing routes. The most important thing about nature is that it’s there for everybody – nobody owns it.

“Wharncliffe Crag is an amazing nature spot, that was at the forefront of UK rock climbing as it developed in the 1880s. The place is popular to this day among climbers, walkers, bikers, trail runners and more. Just two hundred metres to the east and west, the land is licensed for fracking.

“Anyone who loves the English countryside should be concerned about fracking, and I think we should stand up for our environment. It makes me sad to think that there are companies out there who can only see nature as something to be exploited for profit – they’re completely blind to its importance for our health and wellbeing.”

Just one week after stark warnings from the UN regarding the unfolding climate catastrophe, the UK has started fracking in Lancashire – kickstarting a fossil fuel industry which will contribute to climate change.