29 September 2022
At the time of writing this, the Climate Clock had just ticked down to 6 years and 299 days. This is the time we have left to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
This year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference—COP 27—will arguably be the most important climate conference of the decade. From 6 to 18 November 2022, world leaders gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt must put words into action to hold the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.
In the face of the climate crisis, my team and I asked ourselves, “What can we do to bring a symbol of unity and togetherness to world leaders at COP 27? How can we deliver this symbol in an extraordinary way that represents collaboration? And how can we help amplify the voice of young people, who will be most affected by this changing world?”
Our answer is .
Running Out of Time will be the longest non-stop relay ever attempted (7,767 km) with thousands of runners, cyclists and sailors, passing a baton containing a from young people to the decision makers at COP 27. The relay runs day and night for 38 days and travels to 18 countries.
The relay will begin with an opening ceremony in COP 26 host city Glasgow, Scotland on 30 September 2022, where the message will be sealed in the baton. It will journey through Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt — arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh on 6 November 2022, in time for COP 27.
Along the route, the baton will cross seas, mountain ranges, glaciers and deserts, as well as villages, towns and capital cities. It will visit hundreds of schools, at-risk locations and climate change projects to inspire and champion local climate action.
The journey we’ve already been on to bring this project to life has been challenging and complex. It has also been extremely uplifting and inspiring. We have been organizing non-stop relays for nine years and this event has pushed our team to climb, and at times move, mountains to get the event to the start line for Friday, 30 September.
We knew from the beginning that this relay would only be possible by collaborating with organizations that shared our vision and values. Our two Principal Partners, and the , have been with this project since the start, and this would simply not have been possible without their energy, expertise and enthusiasm.
Together, we’ve expanded the relay to bring on board over 50 organizations from across the world, from education and environmental partners to sailboats and sponsors.
They say that the journey is as important as the destination. Our journey so far makes me believe that the collective willpower to find solutions to this climate crisis exists, and it is strong.
Our work with young people to develop the baton message has been incredibly inspiring and so many are already making change happen. As part of the relay, more than 434,299 pupils from 736 schools in 82 countries have so far signed up for a on 3 November, and up to a million are expected to take part. The exciting virtual educational programme will champion climate change solutions while empowering young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning.
As we step over that start line in Glasgow, marking the beginning of our 7,767 km journey to Egypt, I believe we can carry this baton by human and wind power alone across 18 countries and arrive in time for the start of COP 27. With the relay baton’s four iconic spiral rings representing the essential layers of climate action—international, national, local and individual—I believe it can become a symbol of hope, imprinted with the stories and the lives of the people it will have met along the way. And I hope this symbol will be a reminder to world leaders that their words must lead to action.
Our message is clear:
We are Running Out of Time.
Quality climate education is critical if we are to equip people of all ages and in all places with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a future in which all can thrive.
Young people need to be recognized as leaders, placed at the forefront of the conversation about climate change and empowered through education.
We are calling on the world’s leaders to provide us with the skills and training to build a sustainable world.
Our world is warming and to keep the increase to 1.5°C we need forward thinking, consistent policies and funding to help us reach Net Zero Emissions.
We are committed to help build a future that is inclusive and sustainable for all.
Show by your actions, not just words, that you are too.
Help us get there!
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