It was early Wednesday morning when Greta Thunberg's zero-carbon yacht reached the shores of New York after crossing the Atlantic. Crowds have gathered to welcome her historic arrival. Who wouldn't be amazed of how her solar-powered, unconventional yacht?
In a marina at the southern tip of Manhattan under the cloudy skies, the people who support Thunberg gathered together to welcome the teenager who has sparked a series of protests at her young age. She believed that people were not doing enough to help save the environment.
"Land! The lights of New York City up Ahead!," he Swedish activist for the climate Tweeted just before dawn on Wednesday. A few minutes after, she Tweeted again saying that her yacht is anchored just off the shore of Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. She was then waiting for some clearance from immigration and customs.
She was expected to dock Wednesday afternoon at the North Cove of the New York Harbor. But before she could even make the dock, her boat will be welcomed by the flotilla of sailing boats. All 17 boats come with sails where sustainable development goals are printed. This special convoy aims at showing Thunberg that they are one with her advocacy to save the planet.
Thenberg is set to step foot on the American soil to attend the United Nations summit on zero-emissions next month. She refused to fly to the US due to the carbon emissions caused by planes. It is known to be the largest contributor of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Thunberg is only sixteen but she is an active advocate of the planet. She has launched several school strikes that inspired children from all over the world to take part in the cause to save the planet. The climate crisis that the world is experiencing has brought about rough seas as Thunberg sailed through the Atlantic. But as she was seen approaching the coast of New York, the crowds were swelling with glee.
"I've been following her for the past year, so I'm excited to know what she has been doing. I wonder how she got the young people to participate in the protest to do something about the planet," said Richard Walser. He is an IT technician who has traveled from Connecticut to New York to welcome Thunberg.
It remains unclear how Thunberg plans to go home to Sweden, especially with her aversion to ride the plane due to the greenhouse gases that the trip would release into the atmosphere. She is one of the brilliant minds that pushed for the "Fridays for Future." The movement aims to spread the word about the many ways people can battle climate change.
