People across Wiltshire are taking part in a series of public events focused on the climate and nature crisis.
The events centre around screenings of The People’s Emergency Briefing, a film featuring scientists and experts, followed by open discussions about what the issues could mean locally.
The programme follows a national briefing held in Westminster last year and forms part of a wider UK initiative, with thousands of events planned to help communities engage with the topic.
Organisations supporting the programme include the Church of England, Royal Meteorological Society, British Ecological Society, National Trust and World Wildlife Fund.
Lord Deben, former chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, said: “The National Emergency Briefing could not be more timely. The science is moving fast, and every year the risks become clearer.
“Britain has led before, and we must lead again – not with words, but with action to protect our people, our prosperity and our children’s future.”
Discussions following the screenings focus on how the issues could affect local communities, including topics such as flooding, sustainable energy and farming pressures.
Jen Gale, founder of Sustainable-ish, who helped organise an event at Langford Lakes, said many attendees were surprised by the scale of the challenge but also left feeling more hopeful.
She said: “One of the strongest feelings in the room was surprise about the short time frame we are facing to deal with climate change… however this was also tempered with a sense of hope since there are solutions.”
Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste at Wiltshire Council, attended the Langford Lakes event.
Further public events are planned across the county between May and July, including in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Melksham and Corsham.
More information, including locations and dates, can be found on the event website- https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
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