In pictures: Greta Thunberg sails to Europe, sets course for UN climate summit

HAMPTON, US: Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg departed the United States on Wednesday, hitching a ride to Europe aboard a catamaran to attend a UN climate summit in Madrid.

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg sails aboard the yacht La Vagabonde to attend UN climate talks in Spain, from a marina in Hampton, Virginia on November 13, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS

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Carrying a large backpack and wearing a heavy knit watch cap, the 16-year-old and her father Svante boarded "La Vagabonde," a 14-metre catamaran belonging to an Australian couple that will be her home for the next two to three weeks.

Greta walks to board the catamaran La Vagabonde. PHOTO: AFP

The Swedish activist, who became world famous for founding the "school strikes for the climate," is ending a hectic 11-week North American sojourn that made headlines at every turn as she criss-crossed the United States and Canada.

Climate activist speaks to AFP during an interview aboard La Vagabonde. PHOTO: AFP

"We sail for home!" Greta tweeted as her sailboat departed, with a picture of the boat and the open sea.

We sail for home! pic.twitter.com/Mc5IoGpKXA

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) November 13, 2019

Svante Thunberg, father of Greta, speaks on the phone on the eve of his return to Europe with his daughter aboard the catamaran La Vagabonde in Hampton. PHOTO: AFP

"I want to thank all the people who I've met I North America for their incredible hospitality. And thank you all for your amazing support!" she added.

I want to thank all the people who I’ve met I North America for their incredible hospitality. And thank you all for your amazing support!

(This wet plate photo was taken by Shane Balkowitsch on Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.) pic.twitter.com/ZFAEqM5RPZ

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) November 13, 2019

The boat sailed from Hampton, in the US state of Virginia, aiming to reach Portugal, more than 5,500 kilometres away.

PHOTO: AFP

During her trip Greta excoriated world leaders at the United Nations, met former US president Barack Obama, received the keys to the city of Montreal and road tripped across the continent in a Tesla electric car lent to her by actor and ex-governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.

PHOTO: AFP

In a parting shot, the young activist said US President Donald Trump was "so extreme" a climate skeptic he unintentionally may be waking people up to the dangers facing the globe.

"I thought when he got elected, now people will finally, now people must finally wake up," she said in an interview on Tuesday.

PHOTO: AFP

Six people will be aboard "La Vagabonde" for the trip: Elayna Carausu, 26, and her partner Riley Whitelum, 35, together with their 11-month-old boy Lenny; 26-year-old professional British sailor Nikki Henderson, Greta, and her father Svante.

PHOTO: AFP

Carausu and Whitelum stepped forward when Greta put out an appeal on November 1 for someone who could get her back to Europe.

"We were kind of the only boat around the area that was willing to cross the Atlantic this time of year," said Carausu.

The seas are expected to be rougher on her return journey, given the season, but Greta says the prospect of harsh weather doesn't perturb her.

PHOTO: AFP

"She's a very brave, independent, strong young lady. It's inspiring and I'm honestly amazed at what she's doing," Carausu said.

She added that the crew has "decided to have a vegan boat for Greta, mostly."

PHOTO: AFP

Greta plans to attend the COP 25 climate summit in Madrid, which starts in just under three weeks, before heading home to Sweden.

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During her North America trip "in one way, lots of things have changed, and lots of things have moved in the right direction," she said before departing.

PHOTO: AFP

"But also in a sense we have gone a few more months without real action being taken and without people realising the emergency we are in."

As for 2020, "I don't have any plans right now," she says. Her school year starts in August.

PHOTO: AFP