People gather in Arnesby Village Hall for public screening and discussion on climate and nature crisis

Forty-three people gathered at Arnesby Village Hall on Wednesday, 10th June for a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, a powerful film about climate change and its implications for people in the UK. It was followed by a public discussion about what the issues raised in the film may mean locally.

The screening stems from an event in Westminster where 9 climate scientists and experts gave talks to MPs and other UK leaders about the climate emergency. The film is being shown in over 1000 venues across the country. It is supported by naturalist Chris Packham, who has said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening. This new film creates the kind of honest local conversation we need about the threat from climate and nature breakdown, and about what we can do, together with our politicians, to build a better future.”

Discussion afterwards included flooding, food security, loss of nature and reducing emissions, with participants also exploring how local communities and Councils could take action. It was suggested the film should be shown in schools and colleges to engage younger people. There was strong support for asking our MPs to call for a televised briefing but taking care how such difficult news is presented.

We felt it was important the event was attended by local representatives HDC Councillor Neil Bannister and Lord Willy Bach who both joined in the debate.

Elaine Carter and Sue Cooper, who organised the event, said: “We were really pleased how everyone stayed, talked and listened to each other afterwards, with enthusiastic and wide-ranging debate”.

There will be a further screening in Lutterworth on 25th June at the Pavillion on the Recreation Ground for those who missed the Arnesby screening.