People’s Emergency Briefing at Milton Keynes campus

On Wednesday 15th July The Open University Sustainability Office was pleased to welcome staff, students and members of the community to our first screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing. Around 50 people gathered at the Berrill Lecture Theare on our Walton Hall campus for the screening, followed by a discussion about what the issues raised in the film may mean for our local community. 

The screening formed part of a wider UK programme of events designed to help communities engage with the climate and nature crisis. The naturalist Chris Packham plays a key role in the briefing and has said 

“I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing. This new film creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about the threat from climate and nature breakdown, but also about what we can do, together with our politicians, to build a better future.” 

Discussions afterwards included how the university could support future actions. Participants also shared their views on how individuals don’t need to feel isolated and can join together, and how local communities can continue the conversation and engage elected representatives.

Dr Victoria Hands, Director of Sustainability and Dr Leigh-Anne Perryman, Associate Director Curriculum, IET co-hosted the event. Victoria said: “One of the strongest feelings in the room was relief — that issues many people have quietly worried about for a long time are finally being spoken about openly together.” 

Leigh-Anne noted: “What stood out was how quickly the discussion moved from concern into practical questions about what people here may be able to do together next.” 

There was strong interest in continued local engagement, including encouraging local MPs to back the Parliamentary Call for a televised emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis. 

The OU has many articles, videos and free sustainability courses which can be accessed via our Sustainability Hub, for specific content mentioned at the briefing, see links below:

Introducing Climate Psychology: facing the climate crisis

Sustainable Pedagogies

Supporting climate action through digital education

BBC co-productions with Sir David Attenborough 

Green Skills Hub including Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability and Teaching Climate Action: empower students to tackle the climate crisis

We also offer 8 hours of fully funded Carbon Literacy Training, and can hire out or facilitate the engaging "How Bad are Bananas" game, email [email protected] for more information.

7 Acts to Save the World