Parishes across the Diocese are being encouraged to screen a documentary film on the nature and climate crisis. The National Emergency Briefing is a non-political UK initiative that has brought together leading experts to explain the urgency of the climate and nature crisis and to call for a coordinated national response. The 50-minute documentary film, The People’s Emergency Briefing, helps communities understand the scale of the challenge and what action is needed. It is based on an event held in Westminster Methodist Hall last November which saw an invited audience of 1,200 politicians and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and media hear from 10 of the UK’s leading experts. Chaired by Professor Mike Berners-Lee, they gave a concise, high-level and unfiltered briefing on the interconnected crisis – including threats to food supply, health and national security.
With footage from the event plus reactions from the public and some familiar faces, the film presents the national implications of climate and nature breakdown – with credible, positive responses – in an accessible account designed for community screenings. It is intended that each one be followed by a structured discussion to allow people to process what they have heard and find ways to engage positively around solutions in their community. It aims to support a parliamentary call for a televised briefing and educate people of the full scale of the crisis and show what the response needs to be.
The initiative has the support of the National Trust, the RSPB, faith groups, the Royal Meteorological Society, the Royal Society of Biology and more. Bishop John Arnold, lead Bishop for Environment for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has endorsed the film, along with other faith leaders. He says: “I welcome this resource in the hope that churches are encouraged to screen the People’s Emergency Briefing, and feel able to unite with others and participate in much needed action to care for creation.”
Further information and guidance for parishes is available on the Caritas Diocese of Brentwood website: Hosting a Screening for the People’s Emergency Briefing – Caritas Diocese of Brentwood