At the People’s Emergency Briefing, community energy is an important voice
You may have noticed a trend among community-organised events recently – screenings of a film called the People’s Emergency Briefing. The message is to hammer home the realities of the climate and nature crises we are facing. Academics and other experts explain crises such as extreme weather, pressures on the natural world, climate tipping points, food security and health. It sounds very difficult to watch, but crucially, the film also emphasises solutions and opportunities, including groups to join and climate action happening right now in our communities. It is also very helpful to process this kind of information in a group as a reminder that we are all facing this together.
The film is based on a meeting in Westminster Hall in November, which brought together 1,200 politicians and decision-makers from the worlds of business, faith and culture. To get this message out to as wide an audience as possible – and to spark a national conversation – the briefing was adapted into a film for public release. Since then, local film screenings have really taken off, with events held across the country in libraries, community centres, office spaces, festivals and more. Many organisers in Bristol have reached out to Bristol Energy Cooperative to share our story of positive climate action to help transform that feeling of helplessness in the face of climate catastrophe into collective action.
“It’s really important to us that people leave this event feeling empowered and inspired to take positive action,“ said Jessica Gitsham, from Bristol Friends of the Earth, who reached out to BEC to speak at a screening they organised. “This is why we asked Bristol Energy Co-operative to come along and share their story. BEC’s work has simultaneously cut carbon, cut electricity bills of community centres here in Bristol, and brought people together in a meaningful way. It’s a brilliant example of how amazing people are when they come together.”
Find out more the film, including a map of organised events, advice on climate action and how to organise your own screening here National Emergency Briefing on climate & nature
