Bon voyage Greta Thunberg

No, given the size of giant screens, she could make as good an impression by appearing on screen, possibly an even better and effective one. She would be many times larger than live and would actually be doing something practical to show her green credentials.

What exactly does the specific way she is travelling contribute to the future of energy efficient sea transport? It gives a lot of free publicity to the commercial company behind this boat, which, is I think an ocean racer.

She is Scandinavian, why didn't she get a train to the pacific coast of Russia, find her way up to the point where Alaska almost touches Russia and then travel from there. Just as ridiculous and better than this planned journey.

Why does she need to go in person? If you believe that the only way to persuade Trump to accept climate change is to have Greta sail there on a multi million pound racing boat you're very naive

It's amazing how many people are sure of the influences and manipulators using Greta Thunberg as their puppet.

A fairly cursory reading of her speeches to parliaments and on Facebook might allay your fears. She appears to have heard it all before and remains focused. As I understand it, she's asking for people for people to "treat the crisis like a crisis".

I have no fears to be allayed - I'm well aware of what she says and don't think that anyone is unaware of the seriousness of the situation (apart from the climate change deniers who aren't going to change their mind any time soon just because Greta says so) which is why there's so been much work done by scientists, politicians, engineers, campaigners and so on over the last 20 years. Before she was even born, actually.

I wonder what the carbon footprint was on building this yacht, I wonder how much tech stuff she carries around, I wonder what the carbon footprint will be of the media following her!!!.

The whole lot of these 'so called' environmentalists are a load of hypocrites. It's over population (and the resulting war for food) which will finish off the human race. The Earth's climate has been changing constantly since its formation, it's not a new thing.

crystaltipps do you honestly think that most of us are unaware and needed this brought to our attention by Greta?
Really?

But perhaps those who may have been deliberately closing their eyes to this, those in a position to do something, could possibly take some notice of her and HRH Wokefulness because they are attention-seeking and different than boring old scientists.

I agree it is a stupid publicity stunt, lets hope she doesn’t need rescuing in any way and have to be airlifted into a helicopter and flown home!

Happiyogi ... maybe she had help writing her speeches.

I am all for discussion and action on climate change. I don't think this young lady has any answers. But she certainly has people talking which is a good thing .

However I wonder if this journey might be too much. It sounds nightmarish to embark on such a trip with zero experience. I do hope if she finds it too much that she will be able to give up and not feel that she's let herself down.

I also question the knowledge that people are crediting her with. This is a quote from her Mother's book that she wrote about her

""“She can see carbon dioxide with the naked eye. She sees how it flows out of chimneys and changes the atmosphere in a landfill.” ""

Now most of us know that this is impossible.

I do hope that her trip goes well and good luck in that ocean. I'd not be up for that. Not for all the tea in China. Which is where I believe she's headed for next. Lot easier to get there.

Happiyogi it already is being treated as a crisis, nothing that GT is doing is contributing anything to its resolution.

I wonder if these Climate Change conferences produce anything other than hot air?

There is some valid debate here as to whether or not Greta Thunberg is being exploited.

However, I do find some of the comments about her alleged autism offensive. It is irrelevant whether or not she has autism - she is either capable of making the voyage or she isn't. The dubious term 'on the spectrum' has been used by some contributors almost as a term of abuse. There is an implication that the views of someone who has autism are not valid. I am so disappointed to see this sort of ill-informed prejudice on GN.

you make me smile Minniemoo

I do think we need to keep our sense of humour.

I'm thinking of the Jumblies by Edward Lear. D'you remember them?
They went to see in a sieve they did,
In a sieve they went to sea.

A racing yacht seems safer than that.
As for sea sickness, after 3 days most people develop their "sea legs"

I have an autistic son, Amagran. I also have a grandson who is 'on the spectrum'. Not diagnosed as yet but possibly, probably, maybe.

I hadn't noticed any 'ill informed prejudice'. The fact is this condition has shaped Greta. The girl herself is happy to discuss it and was pleased with her diagnosis.

I don't know if anyone has suggested that due to her autism she shouldn't be airing her views.

Some people, me included, are slightly concerned at how people seem to be treating her as the new messiah though. It's not fair on her. Autism or no autism.

Minimoo Not for all the tea in China. Which is where I believe she's headed for next.

Really?! How do you know that?

Indeed, grammaretto! Sense of humour and no sieves for boats are vital. I do remember the Jumblies! I have a very worn out old paperback book of Edward Lear's poems.

This yacht she's going on is incredibly basic. No toilet! Just a bucket. That in itself would make it a no no for me. No washing facilities. Tiny area for sleeping.

She's a brave girl, I'll say that for her!

Greta does not find reference to her Asperger's offensive so I'm not sure why you should feel that on her behalf, Amagran.
She has said that it helps her see things in a more focussed way (my words but essentially what she said).

It was on one of the links I trawled through GG. A suggestion rather than a definite. I'll try and find it. But later. Not now. My 2 grandsons have just left the house and I need to relax and calm myself down.

for minimoo

Minniemoo and Callistemon it was asserted then retracted that "no way" was Greta autistic. The reason given because she makes eye contact and communicates well. My grandson is autistic with special needs but is verbal and makes eye contact. Rainman has a lot to answer for! It is a bit insulting to think because she's bright and communicates well that she couldn't have an ASD diagnosis.

M0nica, it mostly is NOT being treated as a crisis! That is the point.

Mostly, (not everyone) people are eating meat and fish, buying new 'fashion' items and travelling the globe for pleasure. As they've always done if and when they could afford to. Irrespective of whether the planet can afford it.

Oh for goodness sake!

OK. I'm stupid. Happy now?

that was to janipat (who knows much more than the rest of the human race, obviously)

I do think the environmental message needs to be top of any political agenda, and if it needs activists to bring it to the fore then hats off to them. The media wouldn't be mentioning it if it wasn't for this sort of publicity.

"Rainman"?! Who thinks of that these days?

Most people speaking at conferences are up on giant screens these days in the conference venue. And of course the journey gives far more publicity - it’s only just starting and we all know about it.