A community screening of a hard-hitting climate film has drawn a strong turnout in Swindon, with organisers pointing to growing local appetite for action.
Around 75 people gathered at Christ Church on Monday evening (27 April) to watch People’s Emergency Briefing, a 50-minute film presented by Chris Packham.
The event was organised by the church’s Eco Group, prompted by member John Pryce, and supported by a range of local organisations including Swindon Climate Action Network, the Religious Society of Friends and the Wiltshire Climate Alliance.
Their involvement reflected what organisers described as a growing sense of cooperation between faith groups, campaigners and environmental organisations in the town.
The film itself forms part of a wider national effort to raise awareness of climate and nature emergencies. It follows a major briefing held at Westminster Central Hall last year, bringing together academics, economists and senior figures to set out the scale of the challenge.
Its message is wide-ranging, covering the potential impact of climate change on food supplies, energy, public health and national security, while also pointing to practical steps individuals and communities can take — from cutting food waste to reducing energy use.
After the screening, the audience broke into smaller discussion groups, giving people the chance to reflect on what they had seen and share ideas for local action. Feedback from each group was then brought back to the room, creating what organisers described as a sense of shared purpose.
Daniel Pitt, a member of the Eco Group, said the level of engagement had been encouraging.
“I was very grateful for all the support received in organising the event and was delighted with the number who attended,” he said. “Whilst the crisis is daunting, I was encouraged by the amount of goodwill and commitment there is locally.”
He added that collaboration would be key going forward, particularly in supporting and engaging local decision-makers.
The event also follows recognition for the church’s environmental efforts, having recently received a Gold Award from A Rocha for its work in sustainability and stewardship.
With further events planned — including the Swindon Churches Green Festival in June — organisers hope the conversation sparked this week will continue to build momentum.
