Greta Thunberg Learns about Wind Power, as Yacht Is Becalmed

Aug. 18, 2019 (EIRNS)—“Climate protection” poster child Greta Thunberg is learning more about wind power every day. After a choppy start to her voyage across the Atlantic, her racing yacht Malizia II is now becalmed in a windless patch of the Atlantic. The planned two-week voyage may need a big wind boost not to take three or four weeks—but not too big, of course.

And perhaps the boat’s becalming was a relief to Thunberg, after a rough start to supposed two-week trip, according to the Observer’s Seth Jacobson. She was still 2,500 nautical miles from New York, where she has been invited to address the United Nations next month, as of Aug. 17. Worse, late summer is hurricane season in the Atlantic, as the water temperature seasonally warms. Of course, hurricane winds are not what Thunberg, her father, who is aboard the Malizia II, and her backers are ready for.

Boris Herrmann, the captain of Thunberg’s solar powered racing yacht, has found the bright side of the slowdown: “It gives some time to slow the boat, have a wash, and play some games.”

This is, after all, what it was like to cross the Atlantic in the 15th century. It could only be done safely during certain times of the year then—as now—and could take a month or more, despite the best plans. As most 15th-century girls did not go to school, neither does Thunberg, so she can spend the time becalmed at sea.

But today, it turns out that Thunberg’s trip across the Atlantic will generate more emissions than it ostensibly saves. Two of the crew, the captain and team founder Pierre Casiraghi (nephew of Prince Albert of Monaco), will fly back from the United States, and two replacement crew will fly to America to sail the boat back to Europe, according to the Mail Online yesterday, citing The Times of London. Then there are the planes flying overhead at times to check on her progress. In all, a lot less carbon dioxide emissions had she flown by herself, but that wouldn’t be 15th century.

Meantime, Extinction Rebellion founder Gail Bradbrook, who said in an interview that she, too, eschews flying, made an exception to fly to Costa Rica to experience the wonderful hallucinogenic drugs and mushrooms available there. Psychotropics are improved in the 21st century, so it’s justified to fly to get high, seems to be Bradbrook’s claim.