Day 4 on the Atlantic: A Report from Greta Thunberg and an Editorial in Nature on Climate Change's Youth MovementThe Malizia II Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

Environmental & Science Education
STEM
Climate Change
Edward Hessler

In a Twitter post with a picture (reported in The Guardian) Greta Thunberg, on her fourth day at sea, writes,"Eating and sleeping well and no sea sickness so far. Life on Malizia II is like camping on a roller coaster!" At the time she wrote this, Malizia II was "becalmed in the ocean after a choppy start to the trip."

An editorial in Nature for 15 August 2019 notes that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has done its job. Or perhaps its jobs, time and time again, year after year, churning out report after report.The editorial directs our attention to climate change's youth movement, one with a difference, I think.

When it comes to the role of international political leadership in tackling climate change, the record of achievement leaves much to be desired. But now, because of the IPCC’s findings, and with the help of a vigorous youth climate movement — which, unlike adult policymakers, seems to actually pay attention to the IPCC — an opportunity has arisen for real action.

The editorial continues,

"As each of the UN conventions faces continuing challenges, the IPCC can at least be assured of support from the next generation. It has garnered a following among the growing international youth climate movement. Members keenly absorb every new report, including participants in the school strike for climate, led by Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg.

"Thunberg makes a point of namechecking the IPCC and quoting paragraph and page numbers in speeches, as she did in an address to the French parliament at the end of last month.

"As government delegates get ready for Delhi, Nairobi and New York, they must prepare to answer why, if children can understand the meaning of the IPCC assessments, adults cannot do the same?"

UPDATE.  Doing good is hard. There is a new wrinkle reported today, August 17 by Associated Press.  The sailing team has to "fly two crew across the Atlantic to bring the boat back, but that the carbon emissions from their flights will be compensated for."