The People’s Emergency Briefing at Holy Trinity
On Saturday 31st October Holy Trinity Church in Bolton-le-Sands presented the film “The People’s Emergency Briefing”. This is a 50-minute grassroots climate and nature crisis documentary presented by Chris Packham
The film evolved from a first-of-its-kind national emergency briefing held in Westminster on November 27, 2025, where nine top scientists and climate/nature experts (including Professor Mike Berners-Lee, of Lancaster, and Professor Nathalie Seddon) presented evidence to MPs and leaders. The organising team turned the presentations into a 50-minute film designed for community screenings in village halls, faith centers, schools, and arts venues. The documentary covers seven core areas, showing how global heating and ecological collapse impact the UK economy, food security, healthcare, nature, and national security. It also features reactions from everyday citizens and public figures like Jennifer Saunders and Deborah Meaden.
The film has had thousands of community screenings across the UK, reaching an estimated 210,000+ viewers. University research (such as from the University of Bath) and post-screening surveys show that a large majority of attendees (around 87%–89%) leave feeling more informed and motivated to act, while over half report feeling a sense of hope rather than just despair. This was very much the reaction of the people in the church after the screening.The movement campaigns for a formal, prime-time televised national emergency briefing led by independent scientists and demands stronger government response. A lot of the attendees undertook to contact their MP’s to request that they respond to the requests of the organising team.
Unfortunately the numbers that came to watch were quite low but contrary to expectation the message, whilst put very bluntly that our and future generations were suffering from the growth of consumerism and industry. There was a strong message of hope. We can all play our part in protecting the planet. Look how we spend our money. Reduce excess in what we buy and what we discard. Examine how we live our lives and how we affect nature. Make the most and best of what we have.