Flotilla4Change are facilitating an ocean crossing of sailboats from Europe to Brazil for this year’s Conference of the Parties (COP30), as a high-profile demonstration of zero-carbon travel.
“I’m supporting Flotilla4Change because in times of escalating, existential global crises, where our politicians and people in power are failing us, we have to step up, and bring about the radical and sustainable change that we so desperately need,” Greta Thunberg, Flotilla4Change Ambassador
Flotilla4Change have two main aims: green travel and the involvement of indigenous peoples & earth defenders in the decision making process at COP30.
“This year I’ll be sailing across the Atlantic, hopefully with dozens of scientists, activists and politicians – to speak up for indigenous and marginalised communities affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and ocean acidification,” Karina Ponton, member of La Via Campesina, a project partner with Flotilla4Change.
The conference will be held in the state of Para, known to have the highest percentage of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, over any other state in Brazil. Indigenous Amazonians have suffered from illegal deforestation, where land and resources have been stolen. There is often no protection or recognition from the government. Indigenous peoples across the globe have been campaigning for protection of the planet. Now the world looks to Para: will Indigenous people be listened to this time?
flotilla4change.org is the network where everyone participating in the journey, or contributing to the project, can meet to strategise how to approach this important climate summit. Here, boats can sign up to join the ocean crossing and crew and passengers can book their place onboard.
The project doesn’t end at COP30, merely this is the first journey of many. It is a trip to explore how slow travel (by sail) can work in reality, around work and play, family and commitments.
‘Imagine a society where it’s as commonplace to book a sailboat as it is a plane or a train,’ Ross Porter, Voyage Vert.
Time is nigh to revolutionise all we do, to transition into a slower, more sustainable, and likely, more creative future.
Notes
Not1More’s mission is for everyone who protects lands, water and forests, to be safe and free.
VoyageVert is a project dedicated to providing sustainable transport for world travel.
Fair Ferry is driven by wind, and slow travelling is our motto!
Union of Nature is introducing a sustainable business model to collectively protect the planet.
Sail4Earth is the first co-opetition among sailors, to protect nature and ocean Meter x Meter via the Uon.Earth app.
Ocean Nomads travel by sail, with adventure, impact and community
La Via Campesina is built on a solid sense of unity and solidarity, it defends peasant agriculture for food sovereignty.
Treesistance Active and optimistic refusal to comply with a system that exploits nature.
The UNFCCC COP30
Flotilla 4Change is an international team of voluntary collaborators. The core team are operating from Nelson, New Zealand, Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the UK to deliver the project. Flotilla4change.org is the network where all preparations for this journey are taking place. This is where boat owners can sign up to join the journey. Flotilla 4 Change is accepting donations to make this grassroots project a success.
Author: Ruth Warren