A young explorer returned from an expedition to the Antarctic to share his experiences with a Highgate audience.

Student Charlie Drew, 19, of Highgate, gave a talk to raise awareness of the threatened Antarctic landscape at the Highgate Society’s headquarters in South Grove last Wednesday.

The continent is protected as a land of “science and peace” under a treaty until 2041 – but after this date, the Antarctic could be exploited for resources like oil and energy.

It is also under threat from climate change.

Co-organiser Sydney Charles said: “The packed audience was shocked to hear that the protection of the Antarctic from exploitation is only in force until 2041.”