90 people gather in Haddenham for public screening and discussion on climate and nature crisis
Around 90 people gathered at Haddenham Village Hall on Thursday 14th May for Zero Carbon Haddenham’s screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, followed by a public discussion about what the issues raised in the film may mean locally.
The screening formed part of a wider UK programme of events designed to help communities engage with the climate and nature crisis, supported by naturalist Chris Packham, who 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.”
A key theme in the discussion afterwards was the failure to ensure new-build homes are fit for the future, with technology like solar panels and heat pumps – Haddenham has experienced significant development in recent years, and this is seen as a huge wasted opportunity.
Zero Carbon Haddenham trustee Alan Thawley, who helped organise the event, said:
“It was great to see such a good turnout, especially new faces, demonstrating once again that Haddenham is a community that really cares about our environment. There was lots of enthusiasm in the room to spread the message further and translate what we saw into more local action.”
There was strong interest in continued local engagement, and according to a show of hands, most of those present will be writing to their MP Greg Smith, who was invited to attend, calling on him to back the Parliamentary Call for a televised emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis.
Local groups who ran stands at the event also reported strong engagement. Zero Carbon Haddenham and the Parish Council’s Climate Emergency Committee were joined by HaddSWAC, the active travel group that is campaigning for a Greenway to nearby Thame, the Community Orchard and two community energy groups, Phoenix Energy Community and Bucks Community Energy (BCE). BCE will be launching a community-funded rooftop solar and battery scheme on Thursday 21st May at Haddenham’s Airfield Pavilion.A local workshop to follow up is now being planned, as well as additional showings of the film to reach an even wider audience.