A PACKED house of over 70 people at Keynsham Baptist Church viewed the film The People’s Emergency Briefing, about the climate and nature crisis, and then had a lively discussion about their reactions.
The powerful film describes scientific evidence presented to politicians at Westminster last November regarding threats to food, health and the economy.
For some, the impact of the screening on June 1 was emotionally charged, prompting shock and anger about the situation, whilst others felt motivation and hope.
A number of Bath & North East Somerset and Keynsham town councillors attended and participated in the discussions.
The evening moved on to consider what practical steps we can take. As author Octavia Butler observed: “We don’t have to wait for anything at all. What we have to do is start.”
Many have written to our MP to ask him to join the Parliamentary call for a televised national emergency briefing.
There is also a petition to secure a debate in Parliament to “hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks” – https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687 – which currently stands at just over 25,000 signatures, with almost 100 from our constituency.
Facilitator David Leverton, of organisers MP Watch, set a challenge to consider who else should see the film and whether more showings should be arranged for groups, at work and for others in the community.
More events are being planned as a result, joining the almost 2,000 screenings currently planned nationwide (and now abroad). See https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map.
Finally, a number of personal actions were identified, ranging from food and diet, money and influence, travel, home energy, everyday habits, to consumption and waste – a leaflet produced by Simon Day covering these items was shared.
There were several questions raised at the event which will be addressed at the first Keynsham Climate Cafe at the same venue on Monday July 13 at 7pm. For more information, contact David Leverton on 07831101755.
*There is already a wide variety of environmental initiatives in our community. Here is a list of relevant links:
Community Initiatives
Avon Needs Trees – https://avonneedstrees.org.uk/
Avon Wildlife Trust (Keynsham) – https://www.keynshamawt.org/
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) – https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/
Climate Hub Bath – https://climatehub.org.uk/
Community Fridge – https://www.facebook.com/KeynshamCommunityFridge/
Community Orchard – https://forestofavon.org/projects/keynsham-community-orchard/
Community Plot in the Park – https://www.facebook.com/KeynshamPlotInThePark
Food Club at Keynsham Children’s Centre – https://www.facebook.com/BrightStartChildrensCentres
Keynsham in Bloom – https://www.facebook.com/keynshaminbloom/?locale=en_GB
Keynsham Community Energy – https://www.keynshamcommunityenergy.org.uk/ Keynsham
Green Screen – https://keynshamfilmworks.co.uk/keynsham-green-screen/
Keynsham Repair Cafe – https://keynshamrepaircafe.wixsite.com/home
Keynsham Town Council – https://www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk/
Keynsham Wombles – https://keynshamwombles.org/
Keynsham XR – https://www.facebook.com/KeynshamXR/
MP Watch North East Somerset and Hanham – https://www.mpwatch.org/
Produced by MP Watch 2026. For corrections or additions, please email david.leverton2@btinternet.com
Pictured above, the audience for the film screening at Keynsham Baptist Church. Below, a guide to cutting your carbon footprint
