The crossing of the Atlantic began on Wednesday, August 14, for the activist Greta Thunberg. On board a zero carbon racing yacht, skippered by a member of the Monegasque princely family, she set sail for New York. This two-week trip should allow him to attend the UN World Summit, scheduled for September in the US megalopolis.

The 16-year-old Swede, who was behind a global climate strike by the school, had refused to fly there because of the carbon emissions that this mode of transport generates.

And she's on her way @GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/diMrPesk3g

Jacquie Bird (@JacquieBirditv) August 14, 2019

A princely sailing ship

Pierre Casiraghi, son of Princess Caroline of Monaco, then proposed to make available a free boat to cover the 3,000 nautical miles, and thus allow him to carry his message across the Atlantic.

In the United States, "many people do not understand and do not accept science," said before leaving the teenager in the port of Plymouth. "I'll just have to do what I've always done: ignore them and just say what science says." Its goal is to "create a global movement of opinion for people to come together and put pressure on leaders".

The Malizia II, a 18-meter-long sailboat, headed by Pierre Casiraghi and the German skipper Boris Herrmann, is equipped with solar panels and underwater turbines to generate electricity that powers the navigation instruments, the autopilot, watermakers and a laboratory to test the CO2 level of the water.

The only fossil fuel consumer on board is a small gas stove to heat the water needed for freeze-dried vegan food. Designed for racing, the boat can go up to 35 knots (70 km) per hour but the captain intends to sail more slowly. "The goal is to arrive safe and sound in New York," Boris Hermann explained as he was busy making the final preparations.

Test sailing off the English coast today! pic.twitter.com/jQ3crahper

Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 12, 2019

"I'm grateful for what I have"

Before this adventure, Greta Thunberg had never sailed. She was seasick for the first time on Monday, off Plymouth, but she does not worry about her crossing, even basic comfort.

On board the narrow sailboat, a plastic bucket serves as a toilet. Four bunk beds were installed for Greta, his father and a filmmaker who made a documentary about his fight. Hermann and Casiraghi will take turns sleeping in the fourth.

"You can not really ask for a lot when you cross the Atlantic for free," said the one who has spent hours on the road crisscrossing Europe to spread her message. "I'm grateful for what I have."

With AFP