The People’s Emergency Briefing – free public film and community discussion – 3 June, 6.30pm
What does a changing climate mean for everyday life in the South Hams, and what choices do we still have?
Residents are invited to a free public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing at Stokenham Parish Hall on 3 June, followed by a community discussion. The screening is part of a growing UK-wide programme of events aimed at helping communities engage with the big environmental challenges set to shape everyday life in the coming decades and to consider what they may mean for those of us who live here. The screening is organised by Stokenham Parish Council as part of its ongoing work to improve our environment and protect nature, alongside supporting healthier and more resilient communities.
In November 2025, more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered at Westminster Central Hall for the National Emergency Briefing. This landmark event brought together leading experts to examine the UK’s exposure to a range of environmental and societal risks, and their implications for the future.
Introduced by Chris Packham CBE, the briefing explored how these connected challenges could affect areas such as food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security, alongside evidence-based options for reducing risk and strengthening resilience.
This national event has now been adapted into a 50-minute public film, The People’s Emergency Briefing, which is currently being screened in communities across the UK. The film brings together leading scientists and thinkers to clearly explain the issues, while creating space for local communities to reflect on what these changes may mean in their own area and what constructive steps could be taken.
Naturalist Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing. It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”
Following the film, attendees will be invited to take part in a structured discussion designed to support open, respectful and practical conversation about the themes raised and their local relevance.
The event is intended to bring together residents, community leaders and decision-makers. Councillors and other influential local figures have been invited to attend and take part in the discussion.
Places are limited, so please register in advance to secure your free ticket here.
Using detailed wave height and direction data he was able to show that it was a freak combination of wave direction, lowered beach height, and spring high tides, together with the wind direction of the previous two storms, that was responsible for the most significant destruction.