MCA is proud to support the National Emergency Briefing campaign for there to be a live televised national briefing, introduced by the Prime Minister and delivered by independent experts, so that the whole country can be fully informed about the climate risks we face and the solutions available.
As part of this campaign, we have hosted three screenings of the People’s Emergency Briefing in June at venues in Cheadle, Leek and Endon. The screenings were attended by around 150 people who were invited to hear the latest evidence on the climate and nature crisis and to discuss how to respond. Our local MPs were invited to the screenings along with County and District councillors. Disappointingly only a handful of district councillors were able (or willing) to attend.
The discussions that took place following the film contained a mixture of frustration at the recent fracturing of the previous political consensus and hope that momentum could be regained as well as exchanges of ideas and actions that individuals and communities could take.
One ‘Call to Action’ from the film was for people to sign the parliamentary petition calling for the Government to hold the UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks. It is pleasing to report that the petition achieved the milestone of 100,000 signatures in early August which means that the Petitions Committee will consider it for debate in Parliament. Thank you to everyone in the Staffordshire Moorlands who added their signature.
Screenings continue to be held across Staffordshire, including at B-Arts in Stoke on 19th August where MCA Chair, Mike Jones, was invited to be on the panel. The event attracted over 100 attendees including the MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Gareth Snell. Gareth concluded the session with very supportive speech and promised to encourage his neighbouring MPs to engage with the issues we face.
MCA is working in partnership with Peace Through Folk for their ‘Earth Peace Day’ event on 14th November at Ipstones Methodist Chapel. The film will be shown as part of a day promoting Peace, Friendship, Reconciliation, Kindness and a sustainable Planet Earth.
Details of all PEB screenings can be found on the dedicated screening map, as they are coming in thick and fast. We are also holding discussions with Biddulph Town Council, Foxlowe Arts Centre and North Staffordshire Reform Church with a view to hosting further screenings in the coming months.
In other news, NEB recently announced a new schools initiative aimed at 16–18 year-olds ahead of the new school year. The aim is to help young people understand that they have a real voice in local and national politics, and to give them confidence to play an active role in shaping the future. If you know of anyone who works with young adults in this age group, please share the link to the recent NEB blog for further details (NEB Student Programme).
If you have any questions regarding the People’s Emergency Briefing, please contact