Welcome to the USA, Greta!
Greta Thunberg has many noteworthy titles she’s known for, from climate activist to one of Time Magazine’s most influential people to TED Talk speaker. Now she can add woman who sails to her list of noteworthy accomplishments.
The 16 year old Swedish climate change activist was invited to speak to the United Nations. Greta accepted the invite, but declined the usual mode of transportation on a modern airplane. Flying to New York from Sweden would make a huge carbon footprint in the middle of Greta’s low carbon lifestyle. So she put out the call for a sailboat to get her across the Atlantic Ocean.
Not just any sailboat is bringing Greta to New York. The Maliza II is a 60-foot, high speed planing monohull built for the 2016-2017 Vendeé Globe round the world race. Solar panels on deck provide power for communication and lighting, and underwater turbines generate zero carbon electricity. Greta is on board with her father and crew members, due to arrive in Manhattan today after a boisterous 3000-mile crossing.
Daily photos and updates from the voyage posted on social media show Greta’s mile by mile transformation from landlubber to little woman who sails, and the international sailing group Women Who Sail is proud to be a part of her welcome party in New York harbor.
"I was thrilled when we got the call to assist in the United Nation's welcome flotilla for Greta. While this may be her first sail, Greta epitomizes what it means to be a woman on the water,” says Women Who Sail group founder Charlotte Kaufman. “She is focused on her message of climate action now, she can handle rough seas, both literally and figuratively, and out on the water, she is all smiles. The fact that Women Who Sail could assist in welcoming her to the Climate Change Convention is an honor."
Amy Sinclair board member from the Women's Sailing Foundation/National Women's Sailing Association and member of Women Who Sail has been assisting the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign with plans to welcome Greta and the crew of the Malizia II into the harbor.
Women Who Sail will take part in a flotilla welcoming Greta Thunberg and Team Malizia upon their arrival, alongside will be boats from Sailors NYC, North Cove Sailing, Hudson River Community Sailing, New City Kids: Jersey City, Hoboken Sailing Club, and True North Sailing.
The flotilla is organized with the UN SDG Action Campaign and the generous support of many companies and organizations from the sailing community. Keep an eye on social media for the colorful welcome under sail for Greta Thunberg.
~by Cindy Wallach
