Yesterday, Margate Commons screened the People's Emergency Briefing at WhereElse in Margate, bringing to Margate's community the same information on the escalating climate and nature crisis that the UK's MPs were shown in the National Emergency Briefing in November last year.

The evidence is sobering and conveys the scale of the crises we're facing now, here in our communities.

It affects every aspect of our lives from the cost of living to food availability to health to security. 

Screened in the week that the UK is experiencing its second heatwave of Spring 2026, the film's urgency is palpable.

Featuring Springwatch's Chris Packham and Dragon's Den's Deborah Meaden, the film has been adapted for the public and is being screened at community screenings across the country, with opportunities for people to come together with MPs, politicians, business and community leaders to respond.

We heard that we're heading towards some very scary tipping points and we don't have the infrastructure and adaptation in place to deal with what's happening now, let alone what's going to happen in the future.

This has to change.

The UK must switch rapidly to renewable electricity over fossil fuels; move to mostly plant-based diets; choose active travel that involves walking, wheeling, cycling and/or public transport; and support the living systems that regulate the climate. 

The good news is, this is already starting to happen and we can get to positive tipping points that then perpetuate the positive changes we need.

Being in a room with other people who are concerned and want to see action reinforced the hope that the film also conveyed. We know what the response should be. We have many of the solutions. The pressure must be put on MPs, local representatives and business leaders to act.

Two key national statistics stood out:

• 83% of us want more climate action
• 78% of MPs underestimate the support for climate action from the public.

The film was clear about what to do next:

1. Spread the word

2. Join others

3. Put pressure on government

You can take action to organise a screening, push for a national televised broadcast, or find national groups to support on the National Emergency Briefing website.

You can also take action locally with organisations already working across many of the issues.

Join them. Volunteer your skills, energy or expertise. If you have money, fund them. 

The discussion in the room emphasised that no-one is an expert when it comes to all the science but we all have lived experience and expertise in different areas to build on. Margate is full of people and organisations already taking action. We need this to spread and to find ways to co-ordinate between us and exert pressure where it can make the biggest difference.

This first screening in Margate was sold out and further screenings are planned, with the next one at Ark in the Autumn. For more details, or to share feedback or ideas, get in touch with Margate Commons.

For key stats and takeaways, see the expert briefings that accompany the film.