Sustainable Harborough Community
Action we can take about the climate challenge facing us all
Simon Oldridge, an accountant and business consultant, has the gift of thinking outside the box about the issues surrounding our rapidly changing climate and its impact on our lives. He was particularly concerned about the gap between what the Government was thinking of doing about the climate challenges, and what scientists were proving needed to be done now.
Briefing about the impending climate crisis
It was while listening to a science briefing by experts about Covid and what action we all needed to take, that the idea was born for a similar briefing about the impending climate crisis. With the help of his brother Nick, Simon set up the National Emergency Briefing. He contacted scientists and other experts in each of the systems that keep us alive – food production, nature, weather patterns for example. Politicians, heads of business and industry came to a briefing in Westminster Central Hall opposite the Houses of Parliament and it was by invitation only, with the effect that when some eminent people like the chief scientist heard about it, they asked to come too.
As well as filming the 10-minute presentations from each expert specialist scientist, they also had Chris Packham, who hosted the briefings, who took the film to a cross-section of society, with some celebrities like Jennifer Saunders watching too, filmed their reactions and comments and then finally produced a 50 minute film plus discussion notes. See www.nebriefing.org/peb to find out more including notes from each of the speakers’ summaries www.nebriefing.org/expert-briefings
A few of us in Kibworth have been able to watch it and it is very helpful in understanding how our lives are going to change and what we can do to adapt. There is hope yet.
Julie Fagan, volunteer, Sustainable Harborough Community and Eco Churches
Kibworth Community Library
