A national film highlighting the growing threats from climate change and nature loss is to be screened at a Lincolnshire village church this month against a backdrop of new Government warnings about emergency preparedness.

The People’s Emergency Briefing, a 50-minute film introduced by broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham, will be shown at Great Hale parish church on Saturday, November 14, starting at 2pm.

The screening follows the Government’s new ‘Be Ready’ campaign, which encourages households to prepare for a variety of emergencies by keeping three days’ supplies of food and water in case of severe weather, flooding, power failures, cyber attacks and other disruptions.

While the Government’s advice focuses on practical household preparedness, the film takes a wider view, bringing together leading scientists and experts to examine the implications of climate change and nature loss for food security, health and national security.

Local organisers of the film screening, from left - Tim Grigg, Christine Newitt and Clive Simpson.

placeholder image — Local organisers of the film screening, from left - Tim Grigg, Christine Newitt and Clive Simpson.

Organised jointly by Great Hale Church and Sleaford Climate Action Network, the free event will be followed by an open discussion.

This will explore what these challenges mean for Lincolnshire, particularly the vulnerability of the low-lying Fens to flooding, pressures on agriculture and how local communities can respond.

Tim Grigg, of Sleaford Climate Action Network, said: “The effects of climate change and the loss of nature are not just problems for future generations or distant parts of the world. They are increasingly relevant to our own communities and livelihoods.

“The Government is now encouraging everyone to think about emergency preparedness. This film asks us to consider some of the longer-term environmental risks behind that need for resilience, and

what they could mean for communities like ours.

"We want people to come along, hear the evidence and join the discussion about what these challenges mean for us and what we can do locally.”

Lincolnshire environmental campaigner Sam Maw, who recently moderated a climate fiction panel at Threekingham Literary Festival, and local journalist and author Clive Simpson will also contribute to the discussion.

Clive’s recently published climate novel Flood Waters Down explores, in a fictional context, many of the issues facing the low-lying coastal areas of South Lincolnshire.

Clive said: “The Fens are a remarkable landscape, shaped and sustained by centuries of human intervention. But their future is closely tied to how we respond to rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and increasing environmental pressures.

“We tend to think of emergencies as sudden, unexpected events. But climate change presents a different challenge – one where many of the risks are already understood, yet preparing for their consequences remains difficult.”

Christine Newitt, representing Great Hale Church, said: “Village churches have always been places where communities come together, and we’re delighted to be hosting this event.

“We hope people will join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking afternoon. Everyone is welcome, whether they already have an interest in environmental issues or simply want to find out more.”

Admission and refreshments are free. Signed copies of Flood Waters Down will also be available, with half the proceeds donated to the Great Hale Church roof fund.

The People’s Emergency Briefing takes place from 2pm to 4pm.

For further information and advance booking, contact Tim Grigg on 07962 360 581 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2003081762473?aff=oddtdtcreator