Be part of historic climate change relay on campus
03 October 2022
Colleagues are invited to get their running shoes on and be part of a historic event on campus calling for action on climate change.
The University is hosting an event on Friday 7 October to celebrate the ambitious Running Out of Time relay passing through Whiteknights campus.
A baton containing a message from young people on climate change will be carried across campus by two Reading professors on its way to COP27 in Egypt, with a handover due to take place at 3.25pm outside the Atmospheric Observatory, attended by VIPs and local school children.
Staff and students are invited to gather from 3pm and join the relay runners on part of the route at 3.25pm, before completing a circular run around the Earley Gate side of campus ending back at the Observatory.
Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Head of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences, who is overseeing the campus handover, said: “Addressing the challenges posed to our planet by the climate and biodiversity crises is central to our purpose as a University and a key part of our strategy.
“Our involvement in this exciting international relay is the latest demonstration of action the University is taking to raise awareness of climate change, following the launch of projects with partners to improve climate education for young people.
“This is also an opportunity for our University community and guests to show their support for climate action as the world’s attention turns to COP27.”
The relay
Running Out of Time is the longest non-stop relay ever attempted. It is delivering a message from the youth of Glasgow, host city of the COP26 international climate change conference, to world leaders at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt on 6 November.
The relay baton is being carried by runners, cyclists and sailors through 18 countries over 38 days to its destination.
The baton will be carried onto campus by Professor Ed Hawkins, Reading climate scientist and inventor of the climate stripes, a worldwide symbol of concern about climate change.
He will pass the baton to Professor Peter Miskell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of International Business History, who will take it to St Paul’s Church in Wokingham.
Professor Miskell and Professor Hawkins will be joined on their legs of the relay by other runners from partner institutions such as Reading Football Club and the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), including Professor Liz Bentley, CEO of RMetS and Visiting Professor at the University.
Earlier in the Reading leg of the relay route, Florian Pappenberger, Deputy Director General of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), will pass the baton to Sally Waterman, Co-Chair and Communications director at the Reading Hydro Project. She will pass it to Professor Hawkins outside the Reading Hydro project building, which is painted with the climate stripes.
The University’s world-leading work on climate science and sustainability and on improving climate education has been recognised by the award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize and is highlighted on its Partnerning For The Planet website.
The University has also committed to incorporating education on sustainable development across all degree programmes, including through its new Red Sustainable Action Award.
How can I get involved?
All staff and students are invited to witness the baton handover next to the Atmospheric Observatory (just to the north of Building 54 on the Whiteknights campus map) to join the fun run or show their support for the runners.
A number of local schools and student groups will be watching a weather balloon launch and having a tour of our observational facilities.
Email Andrew Charlton-Perez to find out more or get involved.
Anyone can also register to be part of the official relay as a runner, or to accompany a runner on their route, through the Running Out of Time website.
There is a small entry fee to take part which goes to cover the costs of the relay organisation and logistics with any remainder being donated to climate charities.
