National Emergency Briefing

Co-working member Gordon recently suggested we organise a screening of the National Emergency Briefing, the new 50 minute public information documentary which follows the landmark briefing where 10 scientific experts briefed over 1,000 politicians, business leaders and media figures in Westminster about climate breakdown. The film covers how the ecological crisis directly impacts British life...

Screening organisers Gordon, Bella and James

Bella, a climate scientist and co-worker who introduced the film, said: "I've studied the climate for a long time and found the briefing gave me more clarity on how we can expect climate change to change the UK."

Bella introducing the film

"Hosting the briefing was a bit of a roller coaster, but through the structure of the briefing and the discussions we had afterwards, I think more people left on a positive footing in the believe that positive change is possible."

"It's given me more insightful talking points and confidence in talking to others about the specific problems we face. Continuing to share that knowledge can help motivate more people to act."

Co-organiser James said: "I was worried that seeing the Emergency Briefing and better understanding the scale of the crisis we face would send me further into a doom spiral and make me feel powerless, but that didn't happen.

The film is well structured and shows not only the problems but also some of their solutions. I think the screenings are really important to helps us reach a social tipping point before we breach the environmental ones."

One of the aims to of the screening was to invite local decision makers to see the film so we were really pleased when four Councillors from Sheffield Green Party booked tickets, plus our Labour MP for Sheffield Central; Abtisan Mohammed.

Sheffield Central MP Abtisan Mohammed (right) in the post-film discussion with me (Matt) on the left, Councillor Richard Tinsley (Sheffield Green Party) second left and Bella

Here's the film's 1 minute trailer featuring Chris Packham;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaI-dHgh65Q

One of the 'calls to action' of the documentary was to sign the petition calling on the government to provide this briefing for the public, which will only be debated in parliament if the petition can achieve 100,000 signatures;

For more information, and to check-out the 50 minute long documentary featuring Chris Packham, check out the National Emergency Briefing website at https://www.nebriefing.org/

... and if you haven't yet done it, please sign the petition here:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687