During these times of social distancing and self-isolation, we are taking our GreenBuzz events online to continue to bring  you some inspiring discussions, to stir reflection and to hear your thoughts!

 

To start with, we shall take  you on the journey of Sail to the COP, from the project ideation to the incredible trip across the Atlantic Ocean and the solution-development for creating sustainable change in our transport system.

 

Join our online event to listen to Lena Hartog, a founding member of Sail to the COP, and Santeri Lehtonen, a participant and previous GreenBuzz speaker. They will share their experiences of crossing an ocean with the 62-metre schooner, Regina Maris. 

 

Sail to the COP was a sustainable travel think tank project, sailing across the Atlantic from Europe to South America in late 2019. The participants consisted of a diverse group of 36 changemakers, planning to travel to COP25 (UN Climate Conference) in Chile.

 

After the relocation of the COP to Madrid, Spain, the group settled in Martinique to influence the conference remotely. Twenty new brilliant participants were additionally recruited to organise events and deliver the think tank outcomes physically in Madrid. Ask questions about organising and carrying out an 8-week sailing think tank; what it is like to suddenly discover oneself on the wrong side of an ocean of the intended destination, and how they returned back to Europe on cargo ships.

 

At the conference and throughout the trip, Sail to the COP raised the concerns about the negative impact of air travel on our planet. The sailing trip was part of a year-long (media) campaign for policy change at national and international levels. The aim, to this day, is to make the transport playing field more fair and equitable. We want to make it easier, more affordable and more attractive to choose sustainable travel options like going by train, bus and bike. Sail to the COP lives on through campaigns like Rail to the COP and ExPlane. 

 

Changing the transport system is a complex transition that involves different stakeholders such as train companies, NGOs, governments and policymakers. This is why significant time was spent on board to organise a sustainable-travel think-tank project. Read more about the process here.

Sounds interesting? Join our first Greenbuzz online event to learn more about a seven-week voyage to Chile organised by Sail to the COP.