Researchers have called for increased government transparency regarding the scale of climate and nature breakdown following the release of a documentary film and associated survey results. The film, produced through crowdfunding and titled the People’s Emergency Briefing, was screened in November at a national briefing event featuring nine experts discussing the UK’s adaptation needs. The documentary has since reached approximately 185,000 viewers across more than 3,400 screenings.
A survey of 13,000 viewers revealed substantial shifts in both motivation and understanding. The data showed that 87% of respondents reported feeling more motivated to take action after watching the film, while 89% indicated the government should mount emergency-level responses comparable to pandemic or wartime mobilization efforts. Additionally, 93% of survey participants stated the public was not receiving complete information about climate and nature loss impacts.
Researchers highlighted gaps in public awareness regarding secondary effects of environmental breakdown, particularly those affecting national security, food supplies, and health services. Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh from the University of Bath noted that while many people recognize basic climate risks, the broader systemic implications remain inadequately understood. Prof Mike Berners-Lee, chair of the National Emergency Briefing, drew parallels to Covid-19 response communication, suggesting that public trust increases when authorities provide forthright assessments of threats.
The briefing team is urging the government to stage a primetime televised emergency briefing fronted by leadership and delivered by independent experts. The UK government did not comment on plans to screen the film but stated it welcomes campaigns that maintain climate action in public discussion. Scotland’s first minister attended a parliamentary screening of the documentary earlier this year.
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