RUNNING OUT OF TIME RELAY (ROoT)
Climate change is a reality and affects all of us, at the international, national, local and individual level. In order to deal with this global crisis, we have to redefine our values, our way of living and our relation with nature. We all need knowledge about the drivers and impacts of climate change and on how we can contribute towards achieving a climate resilient and just world. Thus, climate change needs to be integrated into all educational contexts.
On the September 30, 2022, the longest non-stop relay ever attempted in the name of climate action set off from Scotland, Glasgow, host city of COP26. This record-breaking relay, named Running Out of Time (ROoT) covered a total of 7.767km, through 18 countries. The baton contained a climate message from young people to the world leaders at the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change meeting, COP27 at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. On its journey, the baton became the symbol of unity and cooperation of the people for collaborative local climate action with a global impact. Running Out of Time also raised funds for the Foundation for Environmental Education's Global Forest Fund and Carbon Copy.
Organised by The World Relay Ltd, specializing in mass participation relays, ROoT was made possible thanks to the collaborative effort of its main partners, Foundation for Environmental Education and Carbon Copy with the support of UNESCO and UNFCC (partners and supporters). In Greece the event was coordinated by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, FEE national member.
Due to the international appeal of ROoT and the response it attracted at national level, the relay had major media coverage in all countries, including Greece.
THE ROUTE
The relay ran day and night for 40 days and the baton, carried by runners, cyclists, sailors and rowers, traveled through Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt – before arriving at Sharm el-Sheikh.
Along the route the baton crossed seas, mountain ranges, glaciers, and deserts, villages, towns and capital cities. It visited hundreds of schools, at-risk locations and climate change projects to inspire and champion local climate action.
THE BATON
The relay baton served as a unique symbol to highlight human individuality in humanity as well as the power of unity and cooperation.
The Running Out of Time baton was designed by the awarded Scottish agency 4c Design, made of recyclable materials and held a GPS tracker so that people could watch its progress online, and a special container where the message from young people was sealed.
OTHER EVENTS
GLOBAL SCHOOLS ACTION DAY
During the relay close to a million pupils from around the world were brought together for a Schools Action Day on 3rd November - an exciting virtual programme that champions climate change solutions while empowering young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning.
GLOBAL VIRTUAL RELAY
People around the world who were unable to run a stage on the physical route didn’t miss out. They passed the baton during a Global Virtual Relay on November 5th 2022 which attracted thousands of runners from more than 60 countries in the name of climate action.
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The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is an environmental non-governmental organization of Panhellenic range that has been active since 1951 for the protection of the Greek natural environment.
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