Experts have called on the British government to provide candid assessments of the threats posed by climate and nature breakdown, following a survey that revealed significant public motivation after viewing a pioneering emergency briefing.
In November, a group of nine specialists delivered a stark address in Westminster Hall, London, outlining the transformative steps required for the UK to adapt to accelerating environmental changes. This event, known as the People’s Emergency Briefing, was crowdfunded and produced a film that details urgent risks to food security, economic stability, and public health.
The documentary has reached an estimated 185,000 viewers through over 3,400 community screenings, prompting advocates for a prime-time, televised national emergency briefing led by independent authorities.
According to a survey of 13,000 respondents, 87% reported increased motivation to take action after watching the film, indicating a profound shift in environmental awareness and concern.
Additionally, 89% of those surveyed believe the government should initiate an emergency-level mobilization comparable to responses during the Covid-19 pandemic or World War II.
Professor Mike Berners-Lee, chair of the National Emergency Briefing, noted that public understanding of threats like Covid-19 was facilitated by transparent access to facts, emphasizing the need for a similar unified response under expert guidance and prime ministerial leadership.
The research highlights that 93% of the public feels inadequately informed about the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, with the government previously facing criticism for withholding intelligence reports on ecosystem collapse and national security implications.
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh from the University of Bath, who led the study, explained that while many recognize direct climate risks, secondary threats such as impacts on national security, food supplies, and the NHS are less apparent.
Whitmarsh added that viewers of the film often feel a duty to share these critical insights, as they affect daily life for everyone, thereby supporting broader public education initiatives.
The National Emergency Briefing coalition is urging political leaders, including Andy Burnham, to acknowledge the scale of the threat honestly, reinforcing trust through truthful communication.
Recently, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney attended a screening at the Scottish Parliament, while the UK government has stated it welcomes discussions that keep climate action in public discourse, though it has not confirmed plans for a national screening.
