The Relay for The Fight Against Climate Change Arrives in Jesolo With The Message to the World Leaders Meeting at COP27
Paralympic athlete Roberto Bellingardo receiving the Running Out of Time relay baton in Jesolo, Italy on October 18th.
Running Out of Time, is a 7,767 km non-stop relay organized by the World Relay Ltd. in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and Carbon Copy, and with the support of UNESCO. The relay made a stop this morning in Jesolo, Italy to raise awareness of the fight against climate change.
The baton carries the message for those world leaders, who from the 7th of November will be gathered in Egypt for COP27. The baton was received by Roberto Bellingardo, the Jesolo marathoner who competed as a disabled athlete among able-bodied athletes, the mayor of the city of Jesolo Christofer De Zotti, local authorities, and FEE Italy President Claudio Mazza.
More than 150 children attended the event, representing the schools of the municipality, all of which are part of the global Eco-Schools programme, FEE's international Education for Sustainable Development programme which engages over 20 million students.
Students of all ages read messages of commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment, against climate change.
Eco-Schools students stand with the mayor of Jesolo and FEE Italy President.
Eco-Schools students await the arrival of the relay baton in Jesolo, Italy.
"This very long race, which is crossing Europe to reach Sharm el-Sheikh on the occasion of the next COP27 meeting,” said Mayor Christofer De Zotti, “Takes on a crucial message for the entire planet - our time is running out. We must act now to ensure an inclusive and sustainable future for all. And Jesolo is one of the sounding boards through which this message is spread. The Jesolo Community is doing its part.”
"Education plays a crucial role in climate action, to overcome the challenges that our planet must face. We talk every day about ecological transition, but first we need to train young citizens to respect the environment and to build a sustainable society, bearing in mind that they will be the future decision makers. Today's relay carries an important message that will be delivered at COP27 and represents a highly symbolic moment of local awareness of the territories it passes through.” said the President of FEE Italy Claudio Mazza.
The relay, divided into 10 km long non-stop stages, is the longest ever attempted with runners, cyclists, and sailors. It kicked off from Glasgow, home of COP26, on September 30th and spans 18 countries to inspire and support local climate action: Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt. It will end in Sharm el-Sheikh on 6 November 2022, for the start of COP27 which will take place from 7 to 18 November 2022.
FEE Italy designated Jesolo as a stage of the relay, since the city has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for Beaches and Landing for 18 years and all its schools implement the international Eco-Schools programme.