Transatlantic with Greta
We had many comments following our feature by Nikki Henderson on sailing across the Atlantic on La Vagabonde with Greta Thunberg (February issue). Here are some of them:
Many sailors are clearly not concerned about the causes Greta is fighting for, and that’s for them to decide. But it is pretty shameful to read some of the hate and dislike a 16-year-old can get for using her freedom of speech.
This is the dark side to the future of our society when we cannot respect and disagree any more. Martin Hald
The negative commenters, who seem to be put off by the minor details such as that Greta was a passenger on a crewed yacht with a professional skipper, seem to fail to appreciate what an impressive achievement it is to put together and run a successful synergistic PR campaign.
Savelesanych Rosenaur
I’m not a climate change denier. The science isn’t perfect, but science never is perfect. But the evidence is literally right in front of us.
Nevertheless, I’m still concerned that Greta Thunberg is being used. I’d honestly be more comfortable believing otherwise if her trip hadn’t been funded by a big-money political player. That is where a lot of the doubt comes from, to be honest.
It’s the same guys who have used false fear tactics in the past to sell political agendas. While climate change is real, their credibility is questionable.
Rodney Edler
The problem a lot of people have with Greta Thunberg is that she’s being used as a puppet for other people’s agendas.
It’s also in part because her message is a giant, shaming rant aimed at one of the few countries that is actually reducing their carbon footprint relative to their population growth – ie India. There are other countries that have deep triple-digit increases.
Personally, I’m concerned she’s being used as a political pawn. Pam Codario
I have nothing against Greta, but I fail to understand why she had to endure a four-week trip on a yacht in bad weather. With the same carbon footprint that Nikki made to skipper La Vagabonde she could have flown home herself.
Jp Zösó