All entries under Diary

After leaving Plymouth on a wet summers day, the crew and myself are settling down into our routines, the first few days are always a bit strange, sleep patterns have to be broken and reset, the body clock readjusting to its new environment, with the never ending rhythmic movement of the yacht, which must be said, has been a bit like rock and roll, rather than an enchanting melody, but life goes on, mother watch must cook and clean, the on watch, bend the sails and steer the old girl.

The current waters we’re passing though, (English Channel and Bay of Biscay) are very busy, we seem to be tagging along side an endless convoy of passing ships, the radio crackling all night with weather and safety bulletin. We had a pretty good sail so far, fairly fast up until now, with the wind veering behind us, we now await a stiff Easterly breeze to fill in and slide us across the rest of Biscay.

A couple of dolphins popped by for a visit this morning, with their friendly ways, dancing and diving in the bow wave, I always think, its a sign of good luck and a safe voyage, but perhaps its the dolphins smart way to evolve in this man made mayhem, as their fellow aquatic neighbors get hunted to extinction.

It will be interesting to see what nature we will find on this trip to Dubai, as i did a similar trip back in 1999, leaving me ponder how things may have changed in ten years?

-Conor

The weekend and good weather brought a flood of excited people down to the waterfront fully anticipating to enjoy themselves to the fullest.   They were well rewarded. The Stavros S Niarchos, sail training square rigger & one of the Tall Ships family and the HMS Scott warship were also in the bay. For those who were curious, a whole day could be spent clambering in and about both ships, and then to visit our brave ‘2041’ and share in her story.

Monday and Tuesday brought the school visits and I’m not sure who had more fun, the kids or the crew in showing them around. Monrow Primary School, Hollies, Ysgol Gymraeg Llantrisant to name but a few. We even have a wee stow away, a teddy bear called Millie, who will be sharing in the crews’ adventures from Millbank Primary School.

Millbank Primary Students and Millie the Teddy Bear on ‘2041′

Ysgol Gymraeg Llantrisant Students on ‘2041′

To All who made our visit to Copenhagen and participation in the COP15 a success… RWE, Essent, Giordano, Coco-Cola, Energy Crossroads, previous IAE and BP team members.

It was wonderful working, meeting and visiting with you all. Thank you for all the support!

Even if the World Leaders cannot come up with a conclusion at Copenhagen… we have reached one… with people like You this World does have a chance! I think it is best for us to stop awaiting this COP process and turn to our personal efforts. I am sure we can do better.

Kind regards, Laura

Robert’s lecture

And another big thank you to our partners at Giordano

15 December, 2009e

What a cold, cold day! The chill wind of the day before gave way to fluffy white clusters of ice falling fast. Robert and his son, Barney, arrived to a packed room of young people who had that morning completed a two week electric scooter ride from Den Bosch to Copenhagen, ‘The Road to Copenhagen’. Introduced by Alexandra from Essent, Robert proceeded to tell the Antarctic story, that of leadership and inspiration.

At the end he was handed a ‘Manifesto of the Road to Copenhagen’ from the young people that he is going to take to the next World summit in 2012.

All came down to the yacht. We had the ChinaYouth COP15 team already onboard and some of our IAE 09 team there. Our family was growing! The snow started coming down fast again, covering those on the wharf waiting for their turn to come onboard, chat to Robert and be given the tour of 2041 by the crew…ten on…ten off.. slowly and don’t slip…twenty on…ten off. ‘2041’ loved all the attention. And as the light started fading so too came the time for visitors to go to their next events. A smile touched my face as I saw them leave reluctantly.. they now felt a little of what we feel…’2041’ has spun her magic again.

Robert and the crew proceeded to our next event… an open lecture held at a local university. What a mixed group - students, specialists in their own fields, friends from IAE 05!, media and business people. All were transported away and then brought back. The conclusion of not just Antarctica’s fate but that of the world was being discussed just two metro stops away. One could feel the tension. We had tried to go to the Bella Center earlier that morning and were sent to the ‘short’ queue (so much for the extra accreditation). The prospect of standing in line for 6 hours was not inspirational. How are we to contribute? Even leaders and lecturers were at a loss as we all stood outside. We decided to go to the KlimaForum, how differently things were being approached there.

I believe that we’re at a time of not just an environmental crossroads but a personal one. We are dependent on the environment and the environment is dependent on us. A little respect would go along way.

Best LB

Our IATE team in Antarctica decided to show their support for the COP 15 conference and demonstrate their commitment to an ambitious, fair, and binding global climate deal.

2041 closely supported 350’s efforts in their October 24th International Day of Climate Action, and is happy to promote their efforts in Copenhagen.

And . . . from our team in Copenhagen:

Copenhagen and the Climate Change Conference.

2041 and the Voyage for Cleaner Energy arrived here in Copenhagen on the third of December after a brisk sail up from Kiel in Germany. On first impression, it is hard to ignore the striking architecture of the city, new and old, edgy and curvaceous, built to complement one another, an example of how with proper planning and co-ordination, a city can fulfill its commitment to its residents, whilst keeping in touch with its surrounding environment, perhaps thats why this venue was lobbied to be the venue of this historic opportunity to avert our current trends towards our planet, our home.

On the streets there appears to be an air of optimism with a taint of frustration, the people genuinely want change, a better life, a healthier life, they want our planet to be prevented from choking, and want the economics powers involved to help. The resent protest, of upward of twenty thousand people marched to the Bella center last Saturday, where the main COP 15 is been held, with only around 500 arrests, was, I think, a success. To be truthful I saw more angry and infuriated people in the cue for registration at the Bella center than during the actual protest, but the current situation sees about thirty thousand people trying to access a venue limited to fifteen thousand, with many leaving it to the last moment to register, I just hope this isn’t a theme to be carried throughout the talks within the actual event.

Inside the COP15, its pretty much divided up into three main section; talks and presentations, delegates meeting rooms and offices and finally the side shows, the Delegates are buzzing around their hive of rooms and offices, hopefully “doing the Job”, oblivious to the general observer like myself, I feel more comfortable cruising the side shows, with their stands, products and paraphernalia from all over the world. Nationalities from every corner of the globe, talking about their different experiences and their plight for their particular organization. It boggles my mind to actual think, “I’m at a UN conference to prevent the destruction of our environment.”

I really hope the aptly named “Hopenhagen” lives up to its name, there is a genuine positive momentum, our world is changing, and us with it. The race is on to save the environment for future generation, but it sometimes feels like not everyone has heard the starting gun.

The Captain