Greta Thunberg Teen Climate Activist Arrives by Sailboat to NYC [PHOTOS]

Swedish teen climate activist, Greta Thunberg, who began protesting outside of the Swedish parliament daily at age 15, arrived yesterday by sailboat to New York City to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit. If you have not been following this phenom, she may hit your radar now that she is here following a two week carbon-neutral trip aboard the Malizia II. Leaving on August 14th from Plymouth, England, Thunberg landed on the shores of Coney Island yesterday morning, and following clearing of customs and immigration, sailed up to North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place for her official arrival to Manhattan. She has stopped taking airplanes in protest of the emissions from that mode of transport.

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Now 16, Thunberg marked the one year anniversary of her school strike aboard the sailboat, tweeting “1 year ago I started school striking for the climate outside the Swedish parliament, simply because something had to be done. Since then I have continued every Friday alongside millions of others. And we will go on for as long as it takes.”

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Thunberg and her crew were greeted by 17 sailboats from the United Nations in New York Harbor representing each of the sustainability goals.

A youthful crowd greeted Thunberg at North Cove Marina, holding signs and shouting their support. One sign says “Unite behind the science,” another “Our planet is poisoned for profit,” others were signs of welcome “Welcome Greta!” and “Greta we are rising too.”

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

Photo courtesy Optimist Consulting

The Malizia II is powered by solar and uses hydro generators, which, according to Thunberg, makes it “one of the very few ships in the world allowing trips like this to be emission free. Malizia 2 also has an onboard lab to measure ocean surface CO2 and water temperature in cooperation with Max Planck institute.”

She documented her journey on Twitter, reporting on her lack of seasickness, visit from dolphins, her continuing school strike, bumpy weather, and a mention about the Amazon fires. Early yesterday, she tweeted about the sighting of land and the lights of Long Island and New York City ahead. Her last tweet yesterday showed her on a New York City subway car, saying she was going to take a few days off to rest and will be at the strike in front of the United Nations on Friday.

Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of the United Nations. North Cove Marina is also where the Viking ship docked after its transatlantic trip.