The latest bid to break Gaza’s naval blockade launched from Barcelona on Sunday under the name Global Sumud Flotilla. Around 20 boats began the voyage, but by Monday, strong winds reaching about 30 knots forced the convoy back to port. It’s a rough beginning that weather-watchers say could have been foreseen at this time of year. Some of the smaller vessels are not built for such conditions, raising the possibility that not all will make it into the eastern Mediterranean.

Organizers still expect reinforcements en route. The initial 20 vessels are set to be joined by others from ports along the Mediterranean, and CNN has reported that as many as 70 different types of watercraft could ultimately take part. That outlet’s suggested arrival dates of September 14 or 15 have been called unrealistic by some observers, but the scheduling appears designed to coincide with the high-profile UN General Assembly in New York later in September—timing that could amplify the mission’s political impact. The United States has currently blocked Palestinians from acquiring visas to attend the event.

The stated aim, if the flotilla sets out again, is to create a humanitarian sea corridor to deliver food, water, and medical aid to Gaza, where the war has deepened shortages and triggered UN warnings of famine. Given the logistical challenges that Israel and US-oriented aid organizations face with Hamas looting the proscribed aid from civilians in Gaza, it is not clear how even 20 boats of supplies will be able to make a more impactful dent in the situation.

“Sumud”, Arabic for steadfastness, is both a name and a mission statement. This initiative brings together the Global Movement to Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara from Southeast Asia. The alliance says it plans multiple convoys of small, civilian vessels traveling in waves, aiming to reach Gaza by sea where land routes are restricted or closed.

Unlike earlier single-vessel sailings in 2025, this is a coordinated fleet. The core convoy departed Spain at the end of August, with other launches expected from Tunisia and additional ports around September 4. Organizers say representation spans six continents.

Who is on board?

Publicly named participants include Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, Portuguese MP Mariana Mortágua, and actor Liam Cunningham, alongside doctors, sailors, clergy, lawyers, and aid workers. Delegations represent dozens of countries, with hundreds of individuals in total.

The steering committee features Thunberg, historian Kleoniki Alexopoulou, rights advocates Yasemin Acar and Melanie Schweizer, and Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, among others. For security, many details about exact routes and schedules are withheld.

The operation is powered by grassroots fundraising. Crowdfunding campaigns run through platforms such as Chuffed (Global Sumud Flotilla), WhyDonate (e.g., the Dutch delegation), and donation portals hosted by Nonviolence International for US Boats to Gaza. These appeals cover costs for vessel hire, supplies, fuel, communications, safety gear, legal teams, and crew travel.

Budgets and donor lists are not fully public, but individual campaigns in the Netherlands, UK, and Ireland have posted funding updates online. No credible evidence has surfaced of direct government sponsorship.

Why now?

Israel’s naval blockade has been in place since 2007, following the takeover of Gaza by Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and others. Israel maintains that under international law it has the right to prevent weapons and military equipment from reaching Hamas, and that the blockade is a security measure to protect its citizens from rocket fire and other attacks. Supporters of the flotilla reject this justification and argue that the policy amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilians.

The current war—sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages—has brought severe aid restrictions. International agencies warn of worsening hunger. Organizers of the flotilla say a maritime route is urgently needed; Israel has consistently intercepted past blockade challenges. America attempted to build a dock for a marine route to aid, but fierce winds ripped the multi-million dollar pier apart not long after construction.

This is the largest effort since the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. Weather, port permissions, and the threat of interception remain immediate concerns.

Green Prophet has tracked this story from the beginning:

• What we know about the Barcarole/Freedom Flotilla boat heading to Gaza with Greta Thunberg
• Climate activist Greta Thunberg joins Gaza flotilla
• Greta Thunberg sails toward Gaza as Israeli Navy prepares interception
• Greta’s Gaza Freedom Flotilla intercepted by Israel’s IDF, taking crew hostage
• Handala boat to Gaza intercepted by Israel
• Aid boat to Gaza attacked off Malta

Greta Thunberg’s role: climate abandoned—or broadened?

Thunberg is a named member of the Sumud steering committee. Her participation has raised questions in the climate community about whether she’s shifting focus from environmental activism to high-profile geopolitical causes. Her track record in 2025 suggests otherwise. She has stayed active on climate issues—continuing her Fridays for Future work, joining mass protests at Norway’s largest oil refinery in August, and pursuing legal action in Sweden (despite the Supreme Court dismissing her climate lawsuit in February).

For Thunberg, Gaza is part of a wider environmental justice framework—where war amplifies existing climate vulnerabilities through damage to water, energy, and sanitation systems. This aligns with the climate-justice perspective that conflict zones often experience the sharpest environmental and public health crises.

The flotilla is progressing in phases, dictated by weather and safety checks. Israel has said it will continue to enforce the blockade under its right to self-defense against Hamas. Organizers intend to sail on unless storms or interceptions force changes. The next milestone is a mid-Mediterranean rendezvous with vessels from North Africa, before attempting the final run toward Gaza.

For over 15 years, Green Prophet has reported at the intersection of environment, water, and conflict in the Middle East. This flotilla embodies all three—an environmental justice cause traveling by sea into contested waters, under the shadow of armed conflict and security enforcement. We will continue to follow developments closely, grounded in verified facts and context.

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“Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits,” says Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in early hours of the morning.

At around 3 a.m. on Monday morning, the Israeli Navy boarded the Madleen, a small sailboat launched by the Gaza Freedom Flotilla coalition. Branded the “selfie yacht” by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the vessel was intercepted in international waters and towed to the Port of Ashdod without injury. Shayetet 13, Israel’s elite naval unit, completed the operation peacefully.

But the real battle, as always, was on social media.

As Israeli forces approached, alarms sounded onboard. Activists posted videos claiming they were “surrounded by warships,” that the boat was being “kidnapped,” and that they were now “hostages of Israel.” One participant warned the world via Instagram: “We are being hijacked.”

Meanwhile, the IDF calmly offered water and sandwiches. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the stunt what it was: a made-for-Instagram performance masquerading as humanitarian action.

Let’s be honest. This wasn’t an aid mission—it was a floating media event. The ship carried less than a truckload of supplies, while Israel, under fire and duress, has facilitated over 1,200 aid trucks into Gaza over the past two weeks. If the mission were truly about delivering help, the organizers would have used the Ashdod route like every NGO on the ground.

The message from the MFA was clear:

“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries. While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the “celebrities” will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.”

One of the participants on the boat, a French and Syrian citizen, Rima Hassan, a Syrian refugee who came to Niort, France at age 9 and who was recently denied entry into Israel for her denial of October 7 atrocities.

I have been to Syria and it’s such an antisemitic country that when I was there knew I could “actually” be kidnapped if I mentioned just the word Israel or that I had been planning on visiting Israel after my trip to Jordan. Instead, you say Disneyland. Me and my travel companion Cara had spies following us around Aleppo, the same paranoid city from which Rima is from. Syrians are bred to hate Israel and Jews with a passion, and it’s no doubt she has carried vengeance for Israel as she attempted to “break the siege” to enter Gaza.

Rima is abusing the freedom of western values to try and destabilize the Middle East through peddling lies and instigating mentally-challenged people with autism like Greta Thunberg to risk their lives in a cause that is meant to stew breed contempt and harassment of Jewish people globally. Thunberg has since abandoned the cause of climate change.

Other members of the “flotilla” of one include Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham—alongside individuals with known ties to pro-Hamas propaganda, and one who attended the funeral of Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah terror organization.

The IDF, anticipating the media backlash, made efforts to engage the ship through civilian maritime communication. A video later published showed Israeli officers politely instructing the vessel to redirect to Ashdod, where aid could be legally processed and sent to Gaza.

Instead, the flotilla chose social media confrontation, armed with phone cameras and hashtags set up in advance.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered that Thunberg and the others be shown raw footage of the Hamas-led October 7 massacre so they understand why Israel is trying to return its hostages and remove Hamas from power: “It is appropriate that antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who they came to support.”

The term “antisemitic” may sound harsh—but this flotilla never mentioned Hamas rockets falling on Israeli kindergartens. It made no distinction between innocent Gazans and genocidal militants. And while Greta amplifies every detail of Israel’s military operations, she remains silent on Iranian executions, Syrian prisons and mass executions of which Rima is very familiar; she doesn’t mention China’s Uyghur gulags or the killing of Yemenis by the Houthis.

You can’t claim the moral high ground while sailing with people who excuse child slaughter. Activism without ethical clarity becomes hate theatre. In this case, it’s dangerous theatre.

At Green Prophet, we believe in environmental justice and human rights. We support Palestinian dignity and freedom—but we reject moral relativism that glosses over terror. You can fight occupation without glorifying those who massacre innocents.

I once interviewed the mayor of Ashkelon Benny Vaknin about a peace initiative he launched nearly 15 years ago. His city borders the Gaza enclave, and he had developed a plan to offer sewage treatment technology—freely—to the people of Gaza. He had secured funding and partners in Brazil, and was prepared to meet the then-mayor of Gaza Maged Abu Ramadan in a neutral location to start the work. But when the Gaza mayor requested permission to travel, Hamas shut it down. Shutting it down by Hamas doesn’t mean they lock your office, it means they threaten your life. That’s the reality: you cannot negotiate with terrorists.

Any form of cooperation with Israel, even for humanitarian projects, is branded as “normalization”—a dirty word in the vocabulary of extremists. It’s not about peace. It’s about control, suppression, and sustaining conflict. Hamas—and the activists who blindly support them—aren’t interested in building a future. They thrive on perpetual division and chaos.

When I called out the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” for what it really was, I was immediately blocked by its organizers. They know that when a white, liberal woman from Europe sees through their narrative and speaks out, it deflates the entire performance. Because that’s what this flotilla was: a performance. Not for peace, but for provocation.

This boat wasn’t hijacked. It hijacked the truth.

Read all our coverage of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla here.

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Climate activist Greta Thunberg is aboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla (of one) now navigating the eastern Mediterranean, as the Israeli navy signals it is prepared to intercept the vessels enforcing what it calls a “security naval blockade.”

The boat is expected to arrive close to Gaza tomorrow.

Related: What we know about the Freedom Flotilla

The voyage—part environmental, part humanitarian, and wholly political—is shaping into another high-stakes confrontation at sea.

According to the Garmin tracker on the boat, the Barcole schooner is headed straight for the Ashdod port, suggested that some diplomatic agreement has already been discussed and agreed upon for optics. Had the boat marked Port Said, they’d likely get stopped by the Egyptian army, which has no history of kindness, when it comes to saving or helping boats in distress.

The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from the Italian port of Catania on June 1 and includes only vessel, confusingly, with two names, the Madleen and the Barcarole, sailing under a UK flag. On board are pro-Palestinian activists, including a Swedish and French citizen, one diplomat, and Greta Thunberg—now one of the most visible figures in the climate and social justice movement.

The ships are carrying what organizers describe as urgently needed aid: baby formula, rice, water desalination kits, women’s sanitary products, medical equipment, and prosthetics for children. Before heading south, the Madleen reportedly picked up Sudanese refugees in a symbolic move connecting global displacement crises.

“We are delivering hope and supplies where governments have failed,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “This voyage is also a message: the blockade is not just illegal—it is lethal.”

The vessel carries 12 pro-Palestinian activists from the UK, France, Sweden, and other countries. Among them is French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who previously described the October 7th massacre as a “legitimate act.”

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Thunberg said that participants in the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” are in “high spirits” as they approach Gaza and they plan on live-streaming the interception with Israel’s navy commanders:

“We are aware of the risks, but we chose to sail because the real danger lies in remaining silent in the face of genocide,” she claimed. Following an aerial attack on a previous flotilla vessel in international waters near Malta six weeks ago, organizers arranged for a Greek drone and naval monitoring to accompany the current voyage.

Hassan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the “Israeli army is preparing to intercept and seize the vessel using missile boats and Shayetet 13 naval commandos.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement in reply to Green Prophet’s questions on how it will react:

“The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon,” the IDF spokesperson told Green Prophet. “We have nothing more to add.”

The blockade, first implemented in 2007 following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza, has been widely criticized by international human rights groups for contributing to what the UN now calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, aid access has been sporadic and heavily restricted.

Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized what he called “basic humanitarian aid” into Gaza. But on the ground, fuel shortages, infrastructure collapse, and ongoing military operations have left much of the aid bottlenecked or inaccessible. This is mainly due to the Hamas terror group calling the shots within the enclave.

While Israel has urged the UK to prevent the Barcarole—a UK-flagged ship—from approaching Gaza’s waters, the British Embassy staff in Tel Aviv told Green Prophet it is currently checking if there will be any diplomatic efforts regarding the issue. They did not get back to us.

So far, no formal action has been announced, and both London and Paris have issued recent statements condemning the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. British and French leaders have warned that unless conditions improve, “concrete actions” may follow.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has launched similar efforts over the past 15 years, most famously the Mavi Marmara mission in 2010, during which Israeli commandos killed nine activists on a Turkish-flagged aid ship attempting to reach Gaza. That incident led to a diplomatic rupture between Israel and Turkey and triggered international investigations. On the Israeli side of the investigation improvised weapons were found on the boat and were used to attack the Israeli commandos, Israel asserted.

This time, the flotilla is more modest, and hundreds of boats have not joined them as they hoped, but the symbolism is powerful: Greta Thunberg—representing a generation of young, justice-oriented global activists—has placed herself at the heart of a decades-old conflict.

Her recent social media post from aboard the Madleen reads: “Let Gaza Live.”

For Green Prophet, the story of this flotilla is more than political theatre. It reflects the intersection of climate, conflict, and displacement—a convergence already visible across the region. With Gaza’s aquifers salinized, electricity grid collapsed, and agricultural systems destroyed, climate collapse in Gaza is not a future threat—it is a present condition.

Years ago when a peace-making desalinating plant was proposed, along with funding, Hamas sabotaged the Gaza mayor by not letting him leave the enclave to meet partners in Europe.

Greta’s presence isn’t just about humanitarian supplies. It’s about bearing witness to what happens when environmental injustice meets conflict

Green Prophet will continue to monitor the story as it unfolds.

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Greta Thunberg, climate and humanitarian activist

On June 1, 2025, the Madleen, a ship organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, departed from Catania, Italy. It carries supplies such as water bottles, medical equipment, and other essential items. The goal of the mission is to break through Israel’s naval blockade and deliver aid to civilians in Gaza. The flotilla includes 12 participants from various countries. Some participants include members of the European Parliament, actors, and activists. The most high-profile figure on board may be Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg, a Swedish-born climate activist, describes the mission as aligning with her environmental and humanitarian values. She asserts that the mission reflects her beliefs that environmental justice must include all communities.

Thunberg has recently been an active participant in the youth-led, global “Free Palestine” movement. While the journey has drawn international media attention due to Thunberg’s highly controversial image, it also intersects with a long-standing, complex, and regional conflict—one where humanitarian concerns, national security, and environmental challenges collide.

Israel has enforced a naval blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007 due to concerns related to Hamas. Hamas, a terrorist organization, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians and taking over 250 hostage. The blockade is supported by other nations in the region, such as Egypt. It is utilized to prevent weapons and materials that could be used for military purposes from entering the territory. Israel allows aid to enter Gaza through land crossings, which are coordinated and monitored by international agencies.

Read Related: Freedom Flotilla sets sail toward Gaza with Greta Thunberg on board to liberate Gaza

Those who are critical of the blockade, including Thunberg and her companions, argue that the embargo contributes to deteriorating living and environmental conditions in Gaza. Supporters of the blockade assert that it is essential for the security of Israel and the safety of its civilians. Additionally, they claim internal mismanagement and a lack of cooperation from Hamas limit the support that civilians receive. Gaza is facing significant environmental challenges. There are reports that 90% of the water is undrinkable. This is due to the ongoing war, governance challenges, and the over-extraction and contamination of aquifers.

Wastewater runs rampant due to untreated sewage being discharged directly into the Mediterranean Sea and other water sources. While the Israeli blockade is often cited as the most significant factor contributing to these challenges, many international commentators and agencies have also pointed to Hamas and its recent efforts to disrupt aid distribution as a substantial factor.

In the past, infrastructure projects, including water treatment facilities and solar energy systems, many of which came from Israel, have been disrupted by a lack of cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Greta Thunberg’s decision to participate in the Madleen voyage highlights the issue of environmental justice in conflict zones. It also reflects the growing trend of climate activism, which involves engaging in politically sensitive regions.

From Israel’s perspective, the debate is distinguishing between humanitarianism and efforts that legitimize terrorist organizations such as Hamas. Despite concerns, Israel has continued to permit and facilitate the transfer of aid, including food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, through its land crossings.

As the Madleen moves closer to Gaza’s waters, the following steps are uncertain. Previous flotillas have been intercepted and redirected to Ashdod Port, where the cargo is examined and transferred to Gaza via official land crossing channels. The IDF, Israel Defense Forces, recently issued a statement to the press. IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin said, “The (Israeli military) is prepared to defend the citizens of the State of Israel on all fronts — in the north, the south, the center and also in the maritime arena.

“The navy operates day and night to protect Israel’s maritime space and borders at sea. For this case as well, we are prepared,” he said in response to a question about the Freedom Flotilla vessel, declining to go into detail.
“We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.” Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin speaking to the media

What is clear is that Thunberg’s journey has drawn massive attention to Gaza’s humanitarian and environmental conditions. At the same time, it opens up a broader conversation on the role of ecological activism and justice in a time of war.

For Israel, the situation continues to be consistent with its responsibility to ensure humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza, while maintaining its security.

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The Madleen—a diesel powered sail boat—is currently en route to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s effort to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the ongoing Israeli blockade. While the word “flotilla” typically refers to a group or fleet of ships operating together, this mission finds the Madleen sailing alone, with prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg onboard.

The boat is registered as Barcarole (MMSI: 232057367), a sailing vessel sailing under the flag of United Kingdom. Her length overall (LOA) is 18 meters and her width is 5 meters.

Though equipped with sails to reduce fuel use, the Madleen also depends on a diesel engine.

Still, the voyage raises questions for environmental advocates about issues like bilge discharge (are there composting toilets onboard?), fuel sourcing, and carbon offsetting—especially with a high-profile environmentalist onboard.

The current crew consists of 12 individuals from a range of countries and professional backgrounds. Notably: Greta Thunberg (Sweden) – Global climate activist, now expanding her focus to include humanitarian issues.

Liam Cunningham (Ireland) – Actor known for his role in Game of Thrones, and an advocate for refugee rights and humanitarian causes.

Rima Hassan (France) – Human rights lawyer and newly elected member of the European Parliament, known for her outspoken support for Palestinian rights. She has previously been denied entry to Israel over security concerns.

Other crew members include activists, journalists, and medical professionals from around the world—including one from Turkey, where press freedom remains a contentious issue. While the group is diverse, they are united in their mission to highlight what they describe as a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Madleen is reportedly carrying basic aid supplies, including baby formula, food staples, hygiene products, and medical equipment. Still, given the vessel’s limited cargo capacity, its humanitarian impact is likely to be symbolic rather than substantial. The mission is as much political as logistical, aimed at drawing attention to the blockade, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

Egypt, which also borders Gaza, reportedly charges refugees large sums—often around $5,000—for safe passage, limiting alternative escape routes for civilians.

Related: a pod of orcas sink a ship

Public reactions have been mixed. Some online voices have expressed harsh criticism and even hostility toward the voyage. Others see it as a legitimate and peaceful form of protest aimed at raising awareness.

The intersection of environmental and human rights activism is particularly visible in this mission. The coalition claims to minimize its environmental footprint using sails, yet questions remain about the broader sustainability and ethics of such journeys.

Related: he’s saving sea turtles that have experienced too much conflict

The use of flotillas to challenge the Gaza blockade has been done before, most notably the Mavi Marmara in 2010. That mission, organized by the Turkish NGO IHH, ended in violence when Israeli forces boarded the ship in international waters. Nine activists were killed, and a tenth died later from his injuries. Israel claimed self-defense, citing improvised weapons used by passengers that they found later. The IHH has faced allegations of ties to terrorist groups, which it denies. The event remains controversial and is cited by both sides of the debate as either a cautionary tale or a justification for resistance.

US Senator Lindsey Graham announced in a controversial post on X, “I hope Greta and her friends can swim.”

On X, the Maccabee Task Force wrote, “Greta Thunberg’s so-called “freedom flotilla” encapsulates the delusion and hypocrisy surrounding the Israel-Gaza war. This isn’t a humanitarian mission—it’s a Mediterranean leisure cruise.

“Participants are smiling, swimming, and filming TikTok videos. This is self-serving activism. And let’s be honest: she wouldn’t dare try this stunt anywhere near Hamas-controlled waters. She knows she’s safe because Israel has Hamas on the ropes. That’s what makes this spectacle possible. It’s not activism. Its performance. And it’s pathetic.”

Participants on the boat posted on X about a worrying drone circling overhead yesterday, “From Forensic Architecture: Helenic Coast Guard Heron drone was seen active close to your location a couple of hours ago – ADSB hasn’t updated assets location since 20:30 pm. It did a similar trajectory the last couple of days.”

It turned out to be Greek coast guard patrol drone doing routine surveillance.

Among the crew is Brazilian Thiago Ávila who supports “the resistance”. He met Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 and also attended Nasrallah’s funeral in Beirut in February 2025. Here he is singing a “resistance” song aboard the boat, in a video posted to X. Hezbollah is considered a terror organization by the US, Canada and Europe, the Arab League, Japan etc.

Whether the Madleen’s voyage ends peacefully or is met with confrontation remains to be seen. What is clear is that such missions continue to stir international debate—not only about the politics of Gaza but also about the evolving roles of civil disobedience, humanitarian action, and environmental responsibility in an increasingly complex world.

While violence uprisings happen in the Middle East, there is little acceptance of peaceful protest, especially in Gaza. Before the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, people in Gaza had tried to rise up against Hamas and were met with a fatal warning or their end.

Meanwhile the Freedom Flotilla has an excellent opportunity to shed a light on Libya’s human rights abuses as it sails by Libya, a country mired in instability and lawlessness over a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Armed groups continue to operate with impunity, engaging in extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians.

Let us hope that this Gaza “flotilla of one” can offer more than just political controversy and instead deliver a message of unity, dignity, and peace for all people everywhere.

We are waiting for a response from Israel’s IDF on what Israel plans to do once Greta Thunberg enters its territory.

You can follow the yacht’s Garmin tracker here.

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On Earth Day, April 22, PBS (America’s Public Broadcasting Service) will premiere a compelling new documentary, Climate Change – The Facts, presenting scientific evidence of the impact of global warming.

The program also examines possible solutions to the crisis, including the latest innovations, technology and actions individuals can take to prevent further damage. The one-hour special, hosted by natural historian Sir David Attenborough, premieres Wednesday, April 22, 2020 on PBS in the United States.

350.org’s Phil Aroneanu On How To Build An Environmental Movement In The Middle East

Climate Change – The Facts brings together leading climate scientists who explain what might happen if global warming increases 1.5 degrees. Experts examine the consequences of rising temperatures on ice sheets, fragile ecosystems, developing communities and extreme weather events. Personal accounts of California wildfires, extreme coastal flooding in Louisiana and increasing temperatures in Australia paint vivid pictures of these devastating effects.

“In the 20 years since I first started talking about the impact of climate change on our world, conditions have changed far faster than I ever imagined,” said Sir David Attenborough in Climate Change – The Facts.

“It may sound frightening, but the scientific evidence is that if we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade, we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies. We’re running out of time, but there is still hope,” he says.

The program warns of potential tipping points that could trigger further catastrophic events, such as methane gas escaping from melting lakes in the arctic. While these scenarios are discouraging, the program also inspires individuals to take action and make a difference.

Experts offer hope that changes can be made in the next decade to reduce CO2 emissions and limit further damage. These include increased advocacy, advances in alternative energy technologies and innovative solutions to capture existing carbon dioxide.

Greta but no Gore?

Researchers from around the world provide global context to the crisis in the movie.

Featured experts include Dr. James Hansen, former director of NASA Goddard Institute for Science Studies; professor Naomi Oreskes, science historian at Harvard University; professor Michael Mann, climate scientist at Penn State University; Richard Black, director of the UK Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit; professor Andrew Shepherd, climate scientist at The University of Leeds, Sunita Narain, director general of India’s Centre for Science and Environment; and Greta Thunberg, Swedish teenage climate advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

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Microsoft, Stripe, Goldman Sachs. They are investing billions in a trillions market opportunity. We can thank Greta Thunberg, says the deVere Group. “Greta is not just helping to save the planet – she is reshaping the global investment industry,” says the head of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations.

The comments from Nigel Green, the chief executive and founder of deVere Group, which operates in 100 countries worldwide, come as the high-profile young Swedish environmental activist urged political and business leaders and the media at the World Economic Forum in Davos to heed the science as she warned time was running out to tackle global warming.

Thunberg said: “With today’s emissions levels, the remaining budget is gone in less than eight years. These aren’t anyone’s views, this is the science,” Thunberg said, citing a 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. “I know you don’t want to report this or talk about this but I will keep repeating the numbers until you do.”

Her comments at the elite meeting in the Swiss mountain town came just before US President Donald Trump – a global warming sceptic – was due to make a keynote address.

deVere CEO Nigel Green affirms: “Greta’s message is a consistent one, one based on science and fact, and one that is likely to hit home with millennials and Gen Z.

“Typically, these generations – those born from the early 1980s onwards – seem to ‘get’ the climate emergency we’re facing, and the urgency with which it needs to be tackled, far better than older generations.

“This is why it is crucial that she was at Davos in order to drive her message through to the political and business leaders who can actually do something about it right now.”

He continues: “These younger generations who will listen to the message and warnings of Greta Thunberg, amongst others, are going to be the beneficiaries of the biggest-ever generational transfer of wealth – likely to be around $30trn – over the next few years.

“They will also hold the balance of political and social influence.

“With their socially responsible awareness, plus their new wealth and power, we can expect them to put Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) issues at the centre of their investment decisions.

“Therefore, Greta Thunberg is not just helping to save the planet – she is reshaping the global investment industry because financial institutions, companies and agencies will need to decisively shift their priorities to match those of millennials and Gen Z.”

According to a new global survey carried out by deVere Group, some 77% of millennials cite Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing as their top priority when considering investment opportunities.

The global poll of 1,125 people was carried out by deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial services and advisory organisations, across the UK, Western Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Australia, India, ASEAN and East Asia.

Nigel Green, noted: “This survey underscores that whilst traditional factors – such as anticipated returns (10%), past performance (7%), risk tolerance (4%) and tactical allocation (2%) – are important factors in millennial respondents’ investment decision-making, they are no longer enough.”

Of Davos 2020, the deVere boss concludes: “In many ways, Millennials and Gen Z ‘have got this’; they’re with Greta. Now it is time for the global investment industry to play catch-up. And quickly.”

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