Has Your Community Hosted a People’s Emergency Briefing Yet?
Nearly 50 people came together at Cullompton Library recently to watch the People’s Emergency Briefing (PEB), proving that when communities create space for conversation, people are ready to engage with climate and environmental issues.
The event began with a simple idea from a local resident and grew into a collaborative effort involving Cullompton Library, Cullompton Town Council, CAG Devon, the Cullompton Community Builder and local MP Richard Foord. Together they created a welcoming space where local people could learn, reflect and discuss what climate action could look like in their own community.
More Than Just a Film Screening
The National Emergency Briefing brings together the latest evidence on climate change and nature loss, alongside inspiring examples of positive action already happening across the UK.
People attending the screening described it as thought-provoking, informative and motivating. While some of the challenges discussed are significant, the overwhelming feeling at the end of the event was one of possibility. The conversations afterwards focused not on doom and gloom, but on what people could do next.
Turning Interest into Action
One of the most valuable aspects of events like this is what happens after the screening.
The briefing gave people a chance to meet others who share their concerns, swap ideas and discover they’re not alone in wanting to make a difference. Discussions continued long after the film ended, with residents talking about local opportunities and exploring ways to work together.
Attendees were also introduced to the emerging Cullompton Green Group, providing a clear next step for anyone keen to get involved in local environmental action. For many, it was exactly the connection they had been looking for.
Could This Work in Your Community?
Across Devon, CAG groups, libraries and community organisations have been using National Emergency Briefing screenings as a catalyst for community conversations and local action.
These events can help to:
- Bring new people into the conversation.
- Connect residents with local projects and volunteering opportunities.
- Build partnerships between community groups and organisations.
- Inspire new ideas and initiatives.
- Turn concern about climate and nature into positive local action.
Most importantly, they help harness the energy that’s already there in our communities and channel it into something meaningful.
If your group, library or organisation is looking for a way to start conversations about climate and environmental action, a National Emergency Briefing screening could be the perfect place to begin.
CAG Devon can support groups interested in hosting their own screening. Why not see what conversations it could spark in your community?
Find out more about the National Emergency Briefing and how to host a screening.
