Cooking up a storm in East Finchley

Dave McCormick on the Phoenix Cinema viewing for a film responding to the climate and biodiversity crises

The heads of cinemagoers watching a film featuring a woman speaking at a podium — The Phoenix Cinema audience for the People’s Emergency Briefing (Credit – Dave McCormick)

Mix together a cinema, a film, concerned residents and representatives of local community groups and what do you get?

Around one hundred and thirty people came along to the Phoenix Cinema to watch a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing and discuss actions that we can individually and collectively take.

The film clearly summarises the challenges we face, why urgent action is both necessary and affordable, the solutions already available, and the barriers we must overcome.

While hearing about the climate and biodiversity crises can create climate anxiety, many of the audience responses were cautiously positive.

“It is essential viewing – we need to help everyone see the film.”

“Everyone needs to understand that taking action will lead to a better world.”

“A people-supported movement – wonderful and so necessary”

“In an emergency I ring 999 and expect a rapid response – we need a rapid response from the government and our councils to the crises we face.”

Asking what actions we can take triggered great suggestions.

“We need to get all our MPs to watch the film – write to them, talk to them, pester them, get them to realise that there are votes in taking action”

“Encourage more Cinemas to host screenings”

“Reach out across our community to get more people on board and encourage them to take action”

Yet a note of reality was introduced.

“So far there have been a small number of screenings in Barnet, and we need to reach around four hundred thousand residents.”

“The longer we delay just makes it harder”

By the end of the evening, people were signing a petition demanding a televised emergency briefing by the government, talking about how to organise further screenings at the Phoenix and across the community, joining local community groups and putting pressure on our councillors and MPs.

We have the ingredients to make some noise and cook up a storm; now we need to make it happen.

Thanks to all those who helped organise and attended the event.

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