Earth Protect Blog

Shared from the 8/16/2019 The Denver Post eEdition

GRETA THUNBERG

Swedish climate activist sails to America amid a storm of criticism

By Claire ParkerThe Washington Post

Two days into her transatlantic voyage aboard a hyper-efficient sailing yacht, 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg is weathering rough seas — and a deluge of online attacks. The Swedish teenager set sail Wednesday on her nearly 3,000-mile trip from Plymouth, England, to New York, where she plans to attend the United Nations’ Climate Action Summit in September.

Thunberg is making the journey aboard the 60-foot, carbon-neutral Malizia II sailboat to avoid flying. Air travel emits as much carbon dioxide annually as some of the world’s major economies, according to Tristan Smith, a lecturer at University College London’s Energy Institute. Cruise ships are also significant emitters.

A sailboat journey is an unusual method of cross-continental transportation in the 21st century, and Thunberg’s trip has drawn attention from across the world. Fans are cheering Thunberg and tracking her progress. Critics, meanwhile, have been ruthlessly derisive.

Arron Banks, a British businessman who has bankrolled the Brexit campaign, mused on Twitter about a calamity befalling the teenage voyager.

Thunberg is no stranger to criticism. The teenager has emerged as one of the world’s most prominent voices on climate action after her school strikes in Stockholm inspired youths around the world to demand that global leaders address climate change. Thunberg was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in March. While celebrated by many, her fame also has exposed her to vigorous opposition.

Thunberg has appeared undeterred, however, telling her critics last month that “we become the bad guys who have to tell people these uncomfortable things because no one else wants to, or dares to.” She has also vowed to ignore climate-change skeptics.

“Climate delayers want to shift the focus from the climate crisis to something else. I won’t worry about that. I’ll do what I need,” she told reporters at a news conference before her trip. 

Shared from the 8/16/2019 The Denver Post eEdition