A hard-hitting film about climate change has been aired to an audience at Morecambe Town Hall and there are now calls locally for it to be screened on prime time TV.
Morecambe’s first screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing, held at the town hall on June 29, was attended by members of the public, representatives of Eden Project Morecambe and local councillors.
In November 2025, more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered at Westminster Central Hall for the National Emergency Briefing - a landmark event bringing together leading experts to assess the UK’s exposure to climate and nature risks.
The briefing, introduced by TV presenter Chris Packham CBE, set out the implications of climate and nature breakdown for food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security, alongside evidence-based actions that could reduce these risks.
This event has now been adapted into a 50-minute public film, The People’s Emergency Briefing, which launched nationwide on April 7 and is now being screened in communities across the UK.
The film brings together leading scientists to present a clear picture of the challenges ahead, while creating space for local communities to consider what these issues may mean in their local area, and how they can support their MP to call for stronger action.
"I left the screening last night both shocked and hopeful," said Kate Rowley, who attended the briefing.
"Watching the briefing with others and having the opportunity to discuss personal challenges, collective ideas and achievable solutions was powerful. I would encourage others to seek out (or organise!) a local briefing.
"You will realise you are not alone."
Professor Mike Berners-Lee, a key member of the National Emergency Briefing initiative, was at the screening to provide insights into the making of the film as well as responding to discussion points raised by the audience.
The screening was organised by Green Councillor Sam Riches, Lancaster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action.
"I was delighted that we had such an engaged and thoughtful audience for the first Morecambe screening," said Councillor Riches.
"People shared a range of reactions to the film, and I'm especially grateful to Professor Mike Berners-Lee for his responses to the more challenging comments – he explained just how much agreement there is across the scientific community around the need for action.
"While some of the content in the film is quite shocking, it is also clear that adapting to the new global climate also presents huge positive opportunities."
Councillor Riches also recently brought a related cross-party motion to Lancaster City Council.
The motion has ensured that city council buildings will be made available for further screenings of the People’s Emergency Briefing, and that the district’s MPs will be encouraged to sign the Parliamentary Call for a national prime time televised screening.
"It is vital that politicians, both locally and in Westminster, reflect on the fears and concerns that the film raises - and that we work together to support our communities to take action," said Councillor Riches.
"I’m pleased to acknowledge that Cat Smith MP (for Lancaster & Wyre) signed the Parliamentary Call after the council motion was submitted, and I hope that Lizzi Collinge MP will do so shortly.”
Beyond Radio has contacted Ms Collinge for comment.
Work is now under way to organise additional screenings of the People's Emergency Briefing around the Lancaster District in the coming months.
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