Here is a review and short synopsis the The People’s Emergency Briefing film. This article has been written by Anna Andrews. Thank you Anna.
Harvest Festival is approaching. Despite the hottest summer on record, we are about to mark the gathering-in of crops from the fields, safe in the knowledge that we have supplies to last through winter.
That has almost always been so in the past; but now, the climate which gave us reliable harvests has gone.
The People’s Emergency Briefing explains…
This 50-minute film is not to do with being prepared for storms and power cuts (not directly anyway) but is about the climate emergency now facing us all.
It’s being shown at many locations around the UK and I went to see it in Axminster, where the Town Council were hosting it. There were two showings – the one I went to was very well attended – followed by group discussions.
The film explains how climate and nature breakdown is already affecting many aspects of our lives, and how it will do so in more extreme ways unless we take action to mitigate the impact, and soon. We are fast approaching a tipping point, after which it will be too late.
This sounds like disaster-movie territory, but, although we are shown some alarming evidence about the damage which has already been done, the film is not depressing. It is, instead, an appeal to us all to accept that if in future we are to be able to lead lives recognisably similar to those we do now, we must act, and together.
The film, presented by the naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, builds on a conference held in London in November 2025 at which ten experts addressed an invited audience of 1200 politicians and leaders from business and other sectors, setting out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for our health, food systems, national security and the economy.
The film includes short excerpts from their presentations, and the reactions of various well-known people (Deborah Meaden, of “Dragons’ Den” fame, among them) and members of the public.
The film is intended to be followed by facilitated discussions and is due to be shown at various other venues around our area in the coming weeks – Membury, Lyme and Chard amongst them. Seats are free, but booking is required so organisers can gauge numbers.
The All Saints Parish Council Environment Group is hoping to be able to host a screening and discussion in February 2027, and even if you have seen the film elsewhere by then, I’d urge you to come and see it again with us. It bears a second viewing, and talking about the issues with neighbours and friends is always interesting. Please look out for details nearer the time.
Anna
If you’d like a copy of this article to print, click here for the PDF or contact the ASPC Environment Group to request a hardcopy.