News / National Emergency Briefing
Climate crisis film gathers momentum
A film confronting the realities of the planet’s environmental crisis has been taking Bristol by storm this summer.
Community centres, cinemas, colleges and church halls have filled with hundreds of concerned viewers looking for information, solidarity, and positive solutions.
The film, the People’s Emergency Briefing, is designed to provoke a response to the climate emergency comparable in scale to that of the Second World War.
Presented by wildlife expert Chris Packham, who suggests: “We’ve declared war on our one and only home. We’ve set our house on fire,” it captures a briefing in Westminster by climate scientists in November 2025 and also includes appearances from Deborah Meaden and Jennifer Saunders.
Its wider broadcast enables local communities and decision makers to see the same evidence – including that “we’re facing the potential for an ungovernable state” and that climate change “could make our country uninhabitable” – as those in government.
Judith Sluglett and Stephen Noreiko organised a screening in Henleaze which included a discussion on positive solutions, both local and further afield, led by Sustainable Westbury-on-Trym (SusWot). a group which carries out regular litter picks, promotes local food growing, cultivates local public spaces and has helped clean up the River Trym so it now has trout swimming in it.
Noreiko said more than 100 people attended the event at the Bradbury Hall on June 14:
“Sitting with friends or complete strangers around the tables that filled the hall, they watched with rapt attention for nearly an hour as expert after professor after aghast celebrity crossed the screen with a message of coming disaster or, sometimes, hope.
“What made this evening’s showing different was the guidance given for focused discussion. As the ceiling fans turned, the tables were alive with excited debate. Some had known some of the information before, some were appalled, all had ideas.
“What was reported back to the whole hall from individual tables acknowledged the importance of individual action but moved on to recognise that the information needed to be shared, that community bonds were important and that only national and international action could limit global warming to under the fatal 2 degrees and beyond.
“Showings like this one are increasing the pressure for a national screening of the Briefing.”
Screenings in Bristol continue from June to September. Here is where you can see the film:
June 19: Greenway Centre, Southmead, 8.30pm
An invite-only event for Bristol North West Labour Party.
June 20: Bristol Buddhist Centre, Bishopston, 7.30pm
An evening facilitated by the Centre’s own Shantigarbha, coordinator of the Triratna Earth Sangha and author of The Burning House: A Buddhist response to the climate and ecological emergency.
June 22: Somerset Climate Action Network, online, 7.30pm
An online screening for members of Somerset CAN. Find out more and join here.
June 24: Weston U3A Eco Group, the Other Place, Weston-Super-Mare, 3pm
An event for members of the eco group that meets on a monthly basis on Wednesday afternoons for talks and films. Find out more about the group and get in touch here.
June 21: Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster, 5.15pm
A&E, the Accessibility & Environment film festival, present a fully accessible screening with BSL interpreter in the farm’s cafe with the chance to have a meal, explore the outdoor areas and meet the animals.
The event begins with the screening of Rising Tides, Raising Voices, a 15-minute film about disabled indigenous Pacific Islanders who are championing disability-inclusive climate action. The People’s Emergency Briefing and discussion follows, from 5.30pm.
A third film, Little Singer, will be shown at 7pm.
June 25: St Barnabas Church, Knowle West, 7pm
Refreshments and a community screening will be followed a panel discussion facilitated by the St Barnabas Eco Church Group. Contact Clive Hamilton [email protected] for more information.
June 26: Nailsea Methodist Church, Nailsea, 7pm
Nailsea Methodist Church Eco Team and Nailsea Climate Emergency Group host this community screening event, with refreshments and discussion time afterwards.
June 29: Kingswood Civic Centre, 6pm
A screening organised by South Gloucestershire Council that will include the Climate and Nature Emergency standing group’s meeting, for public observation.
June 29: Central Bristol Quaker Meeting House, 7pm
Read about the Bristol Quakers call for ecocide to be internationally recognised as a crime here.
July 1: Future Leap, Clifton, 5.30pm
A screening followed by an open discussion about what the film means for the community and what can be done locally.
July 1: Church House, Long Ashton, 7.30pm
The Church of England is one of a wide range of organisations that has backed the film, including including the National Trust, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF and the National Education Union.
July 3: Friends Meeting House, Redland
Carla Denyer MP has been invited to this community screening at a venue that seats 100 people. Email [email protected] for more information.
July 3: Winscombe Community Centre, 7.30pm
A gathering convened by West Mendip Energy.
July 4: Fosseway Court, Clifton, 2pm
The Fosseway Court Residents Association has organised this afternoon screening.
July 7: Sparks Bristol, 5pm
A special community screening for workers in education and related sectors, in collaboration with the Green Schools Project and NEU Bristol. A space for those who are concerned about the uncertain future faced by young people, with an opportunity to share feelings and connect with a community of practitioners who are ready to take action.
July 8: The Greenbank, Easton, 3.30pm
A screening upstairs at the pub organised by Honest Living Ltd.
July 9: University of Bristol Arts Complex, Woodland Road, 5pm
Discussions will be led and informed by Martin Parker, Professor of Organisation Studies, at University of Bristol Business School; Naomi Gornall, Head of Net Zero and Sustainability at University of Bristol; Michele Acuto, PVC Global Engagement; and Dan O’Hare, Senior Lecturer and educational psychologist with a specialism in climate psychology.
July 9: Arnolfini, BS1, 5.30pm
An event organised by Paradigm Norton Financial Planning. Tickets cost £10 with all proceeds going to the Global Returns Project (GRP), which supports climate and nature charities. The event is supported by Burges Salmon LLP, Arnolfini Arts, Parmenion, and B Local Bristol & Bath.
July 9: Holy Trinity Church, Hotwells, 7.30pm
Bristol Harbourside Churches and Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association (HCCA) are joining together to host a local viewing. Refreshments available. Places are free but spaces are limited so booking is recommended.
July 11: Easton Community Centre, 1.45pm
A screening in Easton as part of the UK public information initiative.
July 13: Somerville Club, Bishopston, 7.30pm
Another local event which forms part of the larger national public conversation about climate resilience, nature loss and public preparedness. Includes an informal discussion about next steps following the screening.
July 15: Redland Church, 7pm
The screening, for over 16s only and with refreshments provided, will be followed by time to process and discuss thoughts. “People do need to prebook but it’s free and we have a very large capacity,” said vicar Will Fairbairn who is keen to “ensure as many people as possible can engage with this important event.”
July 15, Bristol Royal Infirmary, noon
An invite only event at the hospital’s Emergency Department.
July 15: St Andrews Church, Chew Magna, 7.30pm
An event organised by the Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival team.
July 16: St Werburghs Community Centre, 7pm
August 1: Valley Fest, Chew Valley, 2pm
A screening at the family and food oriented festival which has a strand devoted to environmental issues.
August 6: Bristol Beer Factory Tap Room, North Street, 7pm
BS3 Wildlife Group presents the film as part of their Wild Thursdays events series.
September 10: Holy Trinity Church Hall, Kingswood, 7pm
A screening event organised by local organisation Resilience BS15.
September 11: Cotham Parish Church, 7pm
Find out more at nebriefing.org/screening-map
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Read next:
- 20 things to do in Bristol this week, June 22-28 2026
- Urgent action needed to reverse nature decline
- Volunteers needed for vital river health research
- The organisation asking ‘who gets to feel safe in nature?’
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