The People’s Emergency Briefing.

The film of the event

In November 2025, a number of scientists and professionals gathered in Westminster City Hall to deliver a stark warning about the climate crisis and its threat to the nation and to humanity.

The message was clear and profound. It is not enough to hold this amongst 2000 people and hope that the politicians will listen. So, it was filmed and turned into a documentary that could spread the word up and down this country.

Last week, I saw this film. It was introduced by several of the speakers at the event and the film was shown. 

A film about the truth

I have known about the scale of the issue here. Years ago. I became Carbon Literate certified. I am a Fresk Facilitator. My business, Harrison Brands has produced 3 impact reports, we are B Corp certified. I have read countless books.

Just as there are some concepts that are difficult for us to understand, such as ‘infinity’ or ‘our place in the universe’, the true scale of what we are doing to the planet is beyond our comprehension. ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ is the term that springs to mind. Instead of facing the problem, we bury our head in the sand.

This is how we can operate as business as usual. The continuous plundering of the planet’s natural resources, the pointless wars, the polarisation of society. 

“Keep calm and carry on.” As the very British saying goes.

The film highlighted the truth through 9 key themes.

Nature.
By Prof Nathalie Seddon

This island is one of the most depleted places on earth when it comes to biodiversity. Only 53% of biodiversity remains. One in six of our species will become extinct. The result of our hellbent way of trying to tame nature. We are not masters of nature; we are nature. The stats we were shown were stark. The film also had viewers reactions. Jennifer Saunders put it well; when a moth flies into a room now, you welcome it. Many years ago, they were annoying, but now, they are rare, it’s a treat to see one.

Climate.
By Prof Kevin Anderson

The charts we are shown said it all. You know the type, like the financial charts. It could be how the economy crashed in 2008, but in reverse. More like the growth of Amazon during Covid. The severe up tick of carbon dioxide in such a short time is choking us. The temperature has risen. In Paris 2015, the targets were set. Every year, we have not met them. 1.5º is now in the rear-view mirror. As we head to 2º, when does it stop? 4º is looking likely by the end of this century. And this will bring with it societal breakdown and geopolitical instability. And honestly, solar panels, electric cars, everything we throw at this, just isn’t making a difference.

Tipping Points.
By Prof Tim Lenton

Even the scientists can’t get it right. Many of the predictions they made fell short of where we are today. The tipping points are entirely unpredictable. The AMOC is a current that is moving. It pushes the Gulf Stream towards our island. It could shift further, and we would experience winter temperatures in London of -20 and long, hot dry summers. It would be impossible to farm. And this would all be due to unpredictable tipping points. It’s much more likely to happen if we get to 2º or 3º warmer. 

Weather.
By Prof Hayley Fowler

Has anyone noticed it is getting hotter? And much wetter? The data shows we are ahead of all predictions. By 2050, one in four UK properties will be at a flood risk. And this makes farming more unpredictable. The rate of failure has increased so much that the viability of farming in the UK is in doubt. In 2022, temperatures in the UK rose to above 40º, resulting in over 3,000 deaths. 

Food Security
By Prof Paul Behrens

Once again, the charts showed us everything. We import between 40% and 50% of our food. This comes from increasingly unstable countries, due to the impact of the climate. This places us in a very vulnerable position. If we could switch red meat out of our diets, then we could live within our means and become self-sufficient. There are clear health benefits to this too. However, one thing is certain; we will see food shortages here in future. 

Health.
By Prof Hugh Montgomery

“I’m scared for my own life and future. I’m absolutely terrified for that of my son.”

This is no longer a risk. It is about survival. As we experience more food insecurity, heatwaves and flooding, it has a direct impact on health. One thing’s for certain; without a functioning economy and food security, you cannot run a health service.

National Security. 
By Lt Gen Richard Nugee

Prof Mike Berners-Lee said: “…we are asking for a World War Two level of leadership… leadership as if the survival of our society depends on it, because it does…”. This is sound but what about how much we spent on the war, in financial terms? This was between 40% to 52% of GDP at the time. This contrasts sharply with 0.2% that Angela Francis’s economics briefing suggested we needed to meet Net Zero. The Climate is a threat multiplier. And with the army increasingly used for flood mitigation and fires, our national defence is being stretched to fight natural disasters. 

Economics.
By Angela Francis

It’s fair to predict that even the strength of global markets is not enough, withstanding the pressures of the climate emergency and is unsustainable. However, there are positive notes about the economy benefitting from a saving of £12 trillion through transitioning away from fossil fuels. And just 0.2% of GDP would be required for us to reach Net Zero.

Energy.
By Tessa Khan

The fluctuations in energy prices is one of the biggest influencers of the cost-of-living crisis. It is also responsible for around half of UK recessions since the 70s.

The sun and the wind are free forever. Fossil fuels are not. Their prices are impacted by war and the whim of the oil companies. Renewable energy costs have experienced a sharp decline in costs; offshore wind costs have fallen by over 50%, solar by over 70%, and battery storage by over 80% in the last decade. And electricity is far more efficient. A car, for example only uses a third of its fuel consumption to turn the wheels. Clean energy uses 100% of its fuel to do this.

So, those were the facts laid bare. 

How did I feel?

Angry. I think the politicians know this already. They have consultants and specialists to help them determine future risks for the future of the UK. They know the truth. 

Why won’t they tell us?

They are worried they will scare us. 

Well, the truth is scary. But this does not stop it from happening at all. 

Short term governments that only plan for an increase in GDP within 5 years will not tackle long term goals like the climate.

And so, very little is done. Even if it is good for the economy over the longer term. Even if it would make a positive difference.

This film should be watched far and wide. The truth needs to be told. We are not being told by our government, by social media, by the news.

We are living in a world of cognitive dissonance. 

We can no longer continue with business as usual.

If you can, go and see the film for yourself. Spread the word.

It’s time for the truth to be known by all.