People’s Emergency Briefing: What happens next?

Huge thanks to everyone who came along to the sold-out screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film which opened the Climate Action! Festival at Depot Cinema in April. So what happens next to keep momentum and action going?

Drawing on the National Emergency Briefing held for 1,200 MPs and leaders in November 2025, the People’s Emergency Briefing film – which is being screened by local communities across the UK – is a clarion call for urgent national action on the climate and nature crisis.

In just 50 minutes, the film graphically lays out (using firmly science-based evidence delivered by experts) the looming consequences of the climate and nature crisis for aspects of UK life such as health, food supply and national security. It also shows how ordinary British people feel about these threats and the possible solutions to them.

The Lewes screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the South Downs National Park, Martin Hole from East Sussex National Farmers’ Union, Emily O’Brien of Lewes District Council, and climate change consultant and Lewes Town Councillor Matthew Bird. A lively audience Q&A explored what needs to happen to engage more people on these issues, especially younger people, steps to ensure personal emergency resilience, and the need for even more action on nature recovery.

So what happens next – and how can you get involved?

• If you weren’t able to see the screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film at Depot, you can upcoming local screenings here: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map (more screenings are being planned in Lewes – we’ll keep you posted).
• Join the call for the People’s Emergency Briefing film to be shown on primetime TV by signing an open letter to Keir Starmer and UK national media heads here: https://www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-keir
• Complete and share Lewes Climate Hub’s quick questionnaire on what action you’d like to see locally, both to tackle climate change and prepare for its impacts: https://form.jotform.com/260954026873059
• And if you’re part of a group or organisation in Lewes that would like to host a screening, find out how you can at https://www.nebriefing.org/host-the-film. (If you need any support with your event or a venue, Lewes Climate Hub would be happy to help – email .)

There are proposals to hold a People’s Assembly on climate change preparedness in Lewes – watch out for further details in the Lewes Climate Hub newsletter and on the website.

Thank you, Depot

A big thank-you needs to go to Natasha Padbury at Depot Cinema, and all the Depot team, for hosting this first Lewes screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a truly national conversation on the climate crisis and what it could mean for us locally and across the UK.