5 minute read
The People’s Emergency Briefing: Sustainability on the Big Screen
Across the country, communities are hosting screenings of the People’s Emergency Briefing film, based on the National Emergency Briefing that took place in Westminster last November. 10 experts came together during the original briefing, to address an invited audience of over 1,200 politicians and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media, with a mix of facts, projections, and suggested actions.
Following the success of the original London event, a shorter film version was created with the aim of spreading the same information from the briefing to a much wider audience; not just for scientists, celebrities, politicians, and industry leads, but to the rest of the population. The climate crisis impacts everyone; we already know from our work in healthcare that those in lower socio-economic groups are disproportionately affected, so information must be spread widely if we are to succeed in tackling the emergency with the urgency now required.
By making the film available for communities to host a screening, the idea is to get groups of people to watch it in the presence of their local MP, council leaders and others in positions of influence, bringing a range of perspectives and ideas for the benefit of – eventually – the entire nation.
At the time of writing, there have already been 501 such screenings, with another 698 planned.
What is the call-to-action?
Broadcaster Chris Packham hosts the film, which shows experts at the original Briefing set out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for health, food systems, national security and the economy. It captures the reactions of celebrities and members of the public whilst they watched the Briefing for the first time, in conversation with Chris Packham.
After the 45 minute film has been shown, members of the audience are given the chance to express how the stark facts made them feel. They can discuss in groups how they think things should change, including how they can be part of the change, as well as sharing local and national sources of trusted information and ideas about the many solutions already available to us.
And it’s proving an effective format so far, as several of our members have already organised or attended screenings, including a large event in Somerset as part of the Green and Healthy Frome project, attended by over 300 people.
Local GP and Greener Practice member Dr Helen Kingston described how it was heartening to see the number of people concerned and wanting to come together to make a difference:
The film screening provided hope too – the pace of energy transition and EV uptake accelerating and with a sense of community working together and motivated to do more.
Other screenings have evoked similar feelings of inspiration and ideas for positive change going forward, as an antidote to the frustration of slow-paced political action, perpetuation of misinformation, and lobbying against what we know to be evidence-based data:
“…started conversations about what needs to be done between people who may otherwise have remained polarised in views…Opportunity for the council to share what they are doing and benefits peoples could gain i.e. sign up for Switch Together Solar”
Dr Katrina Davies – West Midlands
In London, where there have already been over 60 showings, Dr Naomi Adelson (co-chair of the the North London Greener Practice group) spoke of her interest in information from an expert describing the likely financial implications of making the necessary changes now, which is often incorrectly cited as too expensive. The film not only put this into context, but emphasised that the cost of inaction is far greater:
I really appreciated the bit by the energy specialist at the end about the actual cost of Net Zero in the UK which would apparently be $4bn a year – it struck me compared to the NHS budget that’s hardly anything so a good counter argument when anyone says it’s too expensive!”
Dr Naomi Adelson
So what next?
The screenings are designed to spark conversations and galvanise communities’ will to push for urgent positive change on a political level, as well as in homes, schools, workplaces, hospitals, and beyond.
If you haven’t already seen the film, find your nearest screening here, or be bold and host an event in your local area! You do not need to have a large audience; neighbours, community groups or friends can get together to watch it. The film-makers provide support for anyone who hosts, which previous organisers have found very helpful.
Can’t get to a screening? Don’t worry – there are other ways you can take action:
- Sign this petition to demand a primetime public service broadcast and check if your MP has joined the Parliamentary Call to ask for the film to be made available on TV.
- There are lots of other ideas for action on this website:https://www.nebriefing.org/take-action
photo credit: Green and Healthy Frome, 2026