United Nations OCHA Launches #TheHumanRace: A Global Challenge for Climate Action in Solidarity with the World’s Most Vulnerable

NEW YORK, 2 August 2021 – The climate emergency is wreaking havoc across the world at a scale that people on the front lines and in the humanitarian community cannot manage. The climate impacts being experienced today provide a glimpse of what lies ahead: prolonged droughts, extreme and intensified weather events and horrific flooding. But time is already running out for millions of people who are already losing their homes, their livelihoods and their lives. 2021 is the world’s ‘make-or-break year’ to slow the pace of climate change and build global resilience to protect the most vulnerable from increasingly severe and frequent climate impacts.

In support of this push for creating a greener, safer, more resilient world in the lead up to COP26, the United Nations OCHA, today launches #TheHumanRace, a global campaign challenging millions of people around the world to run, roll, walk, swim, row, cycle or to participate in any activity of their choice for a cumulative 100 minutes between August 16–31 in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable people and to mark World Humanitarian Day 2021 (WHD).

A host of UN Agencies, some of the biggest names in sports, including world-class ultramarathon athlete, Fernanda Maciel, Olympic silver medalist, Francine Niyonsaba and UK elite runner, Tina Muir, climate activists like Adenike Oladosu and Mitzi Jonelle Tan, national and international NGOs, Red Cross movement organizations, academics, think-tanks and Government bodies are all joining #TheHumanRace in a bid to put the world’s vulnerable people front and center at the upcoming UN climate summit (COP26) in November.

The activity aims to throw the spotlight on the climate impacts we are beginning to witness today and the millions of vulnerable people for whom time is already running out. Further, it will provide a glimpse of what lies ahead for us all - prolonged droughts, extreme and intensified weather events and horrific flooding - unless a major breakthrough is achieved at this year’s COP26.

The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has said: “The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race that we can win.” He calls 2021 the world’s ‘make-or-break year’ and is calling for “a major breakthrough” to slow the pace of climate change and build resilience to protect the most vulnerable from increasingly severe and frequent climate impacts.

Fernando Maciel, world-class ultramarathon athlete, said, “I am excited to run for the most important goal in our lifetime: to save our planet and the people living on it. We run every day, for ourselves, why not run for something bigger? Everybody should join #TheHumanRace because we need compassion and it is time to run together.”

“With over 88 million athletes in 195 countries, the Strava community has the power to unlock solutions to some of the world’s most critical problems. That’s why we invite athletes and people everywhere to join this challenge to raise awareness of climate change and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.” said Michael Horvath, Strava CEO.

Participants will call on developed countries to fulfil their 12-year-old pledge to provide $100 billion a year for developing countries to respond to climate change and support climate adaptation.

In the race against the climate crisis, we can’t leave anyone behind.

The public can join #TheHumanRace by taking the Strava challenge and logging 100 minutes of total activity between August 16–31 → https://www.strava.com/challenges/The-Human-Race

Those who can’t race can still show support by simply pledging on https://worldhumanitarianday.org

Please find the launch video here. Available for download here.

Please find press assets here.

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Notes to Editors

Spokesperson availability

Kirsten Mildren, Chief, Public Advocacy & Campaigns, of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will be available for interviews on Friday July 30th and Monday August 2nd.

About the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) brings together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in need and advocates for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all.

About Strava

Strava is the leading social platform for athletes and the largest sports community in the world, with over 86 million athletes in 195 countries. If you sweat you’re an athlete, and Strava’s mobile apps and website connect millions of active people every day. Strava gives athletes simple, fun ways to stay motivated and compete against themselves and others without having to be in the same place at the same time. All athletes belong on Strava no matter where they live, which sport they love or what device they use. Join the community and make the most of your sport with a Strava subscription.

Global Press Contact:

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Julie Skinner

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