Britons kept in dark about scale of climate crisis, say viewers of ‘first-of-its-kind’ emergency briefing

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

A nationwide emergency briefing film on climate and ecological crises was screened to over 185,000 people, revealing that most viewers feel underinformed about the full extent of environmental threats. The survey following the screenings showed strong public support for government action on an emergency scale, highlighting the need for transparent communication and urgent policy responses.

A recent survey indicates that a majority of Britons feel inadequately informed about the full scale of the climate and ecological crisis, following the screening of a nationally circulated emergency briefing film last year. The briefing, described by its creators as the first of its kind, featured nine experts presenting stark warnings on the urgent changes required for the UK to adapt to rapidly evolving environmental challenges.

The People’s Emergency Briefing, produced through crowdfunding, was shown in Westminster Hall, London, last November and subsequently screened at more than 3,400 events with an estimated audience of 185,000 people. The film addresses critical threats related to food security, the economy, public health, and the broader consequences of environmental degradation.

According to research conducted among 13,000 viewers, 87% reported feeling more motivated to take action on climate issues after watching the film, and 89% supported the idea of the government responding to the crisis with emergency-level measures comparable to those enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic or World War II. Furthermore, 93% of respondents indicated that the public is not being fully informed about the severity of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Professor Mike Berners-Lee, chair of the National Emergency Briefing, emphasized the importance of transparency, drawing parallels between public understanding of COVID-19 risks and the need for similarly clear communication regarding climate threats. He called for a coordinated government response fronted by the prime minister and independent experts to mobilize society on an emergency footing.

The research was led by Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh of the University of Bath, who noted that while many people have some awareness of climate risks, less visible “second-order” impacts—such as threats to national security, food supply chains, and the National Health Service—remain poorly understood. Whitmarsh said those who viewed the briefing often believe such information should be made widely known given its potential to affect everyone’s daily lives.

The National Emergency Briefing team has urged political leaders, including Andy Burnham, to openly acknowledge the urgency and scale of climate and nature-related threats. The call for honesty aims to foster public trust and preparedness in facing these challenges.

John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, recently viewed the briefing during a screening at the Scottish Parliament. The UK government did not confirm any plans to organize public screenings of the film but stated it “welcomes any campaign that keeps our action against climate change and nature loss in the public discussion.”

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.