Greta, we love you – the fans cheer, sing and clap when the climate activist sets foot on the jetty in her blue rubber shoes. In a rain suit and with the famous card “School strike for the climate” in hand. The strong girl suddenly seems quite fragile – as she finally re-enters land after two weeks on the high seas:
“All of this is overwhelming to me. And the ground is still shaking.”
The sailing yacht “Malizia” entered the port across from Lady Liberty over an hour later than planned. In the hazy drizzle, 17 colorful United Nations sailing boats buzzed around. They symbolized the sustainability goals of the global community and had escorted Greta the last few miles. In the port of Manhattan. Right under the skyscrapers of the financial district. Still in a daze, the 16-year-old makes her way to the stage – past children, adolescents, adults. New Yorkers, tourists, people from all over the US.
“The trip was surprisingly good. I didn’t even feel seasick.”
(Sean Gallup / Getty Images)
Everyone is asking about Donald Trump
For two weeks Greta had sailed across the Atlantic with two skippers, her father and a documentary filmmaker. Without shower and toilet. The electricity on board was generated by underwater turbines and solar panels. A statement for the climate:
“It’s crazy that a 16-year-old has to cross the Atlantic to get her point across. Of course that’s something I don’t expect from everyone.”
And also what she expects from the American President, she says – suddenly the schoolgirl with blonde pigtails again:
“Crazy … Everyone is asking me about Donald Trump.”
You won’t visit him. But have some advice for him
“Listen to the science – obviously he doesn’t.”
Participation in the UN climate conference
About science and what it, industry and everyone can do to save the climate at five to twelve – this is what the youth summit and the great climate conference of the United Nations will be about, which Greta Thunberg will be attending over the next few weeks in New York wants to attend. Talks with politicians are also on the program of the teenager who revived the protest culture among young people around the world.
“Greta is an inspiration to students around the world.”
Like hundreds of other students in New York and elsewhere, Calvin Yang has been accompanying the Friday protests for the climate since Minaten. Tomorrow, Friday, Greta wants to be there. Fridays for Future will then take place in a small park across from the United Nations. Above all, one thing is important to the young Swede:
“Everyone is looking at me. That may distract from the real problem.”
And this Greta, who is in the spotlight right now, says: I wish the focus wasn’t on me anymore. After this trip to the Atlantic in a sailboat, it will probably take a while.
–
