AT THE latest screening in Reading of a new environmental film being shared with communities throughout the country, audiences were inclined to act now, rather than wait for things to get worse.
Reading Borough Council Hosted a free public screening of the film, called the People’s Emergency Briefing (PEB), in the council chamber.
Everyone, including Local MPs, Reading Borough Councillors and local residents and businesses were invited to watch the film, hear the evidence and consider what an emergency response to environmental crisis should look like.
Anne Coffey from Reading and Mid-Berks Steering Group said: “More than 80% of the population are very concerned about the climate and nature crisis but 78% of MPs consistently underestimate how worried their constituents are.
“This crisis is more serious and immediate than many understand.
“There is strong evidence that bold, urgent action will improve lives and livelihoods, but the window of opportunity is narrowing as we delay.”
After each screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing, the audience is given an opportunity to discuss what they have seen in breakout groups, before a local expert answers questions from the floor.
Professor Hannah Cloke OBE, from the University of Reading, internationally recognised hydrologist specialising in floods, climate extremes, and disaster risk reduction answered questions at this event.
They ranged from querying the amount of water consumed by AI data centres to concern about Reading’s flood defences, and whether these can withstand climate change.
Professor Cloke explained that Reading’s defences are not as good as those for some other European rivers, despite the fact that the town regularly experiences flooding and, more recently, the effects of climate extremes (such as the hottest ever recorded month of May earlier this year).
After the screening, audience feedback was positive.
Comments included: “Really good – I’ve been quite galvanised,” “Worrying but positive” and “Informative and concerning.”
There was also fear at the growing threats from the crisis, and anger at the lack of sufficient progress by successive governments, as well as hope, and a desire to take positive action before it’s too late.
This was the fourth screening event in Reading of the PEB documentary film, based on a National Emergency Briefing held at Westminster last November.
The original Westminster briefing invited 10 experts in their fields to set out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for health, food systems, national security and the economy.
The film, which is introduced by Chris Packham, has been playing to packed venues all over the country, including recent screenings in Wokingham and Woodley.
Viewings are being organised by groups of volunteers and held in village halls, cinemas, faith spaces, theatres and workplaces.
Audience members have been asking their MPs to support a parliamentary call for a national televised emergency briefing by independent experts.
Cllr. Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, and Lucy Harding, founder of the Reading and Mid-Berks Steering Group for the People’s Emergency Briefing were among the welcome committee.
Also welcoming were: Dylan Parkes, head of Strategic Engagement for Climate & Sustainability at the University of Reading (also co-chair of Reading Climate Change Partnership and Reading Climate Action Network); Ben Burfoot, energy theme lead for Reading Climate Action Network and sustainability manager at Reading Borough Council.
The Reading and Mid-Berks Steering Group is a local grassroots organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability, nature restoration, and climate action in the Reading and Berkshire areas.
For information, visit: nebriefing.org
