Royal Geographical Society (with IBG): The National Emergency Briefing and a quiet wave of community action

Dr Richard Clarke explores the impact of the People’s Emergency Briefing, a film looking at the risks of climate change and nature loss. The lecture asks whether watching a film about climate change can inspire people to take action, and considers how community screenings can shape public concern and motivation.

Drawing on recent research and more than 45,000 survey responses, the talk examines how the screenings influenced people’s understanding, hope and willingness to act. It also looks beyond the individual to explore the links between community screenings, wider political engagement, petitioning and support for the campaign.

The lecture highlights how data science techniques can help make sense of patterns in public engagement and identify where a campaign may focus its future efforts. It is a discussion about turning concern into collective action, and about the role of community in responding to climate change.