Energy & Climate
Christmas in crisis?
‘We need a fundamental political reset, one that recognises access to food, housing and warmth are human rights’.
26 November 2025
Main image: Chris Packham speaking at the National Emergency Briefing
Britain risks facing political instability if the government fails to get to grips with the climate crisis, senior military figures have warned MPs.
The National Emergency Briefing saw hundreds of MPs and Peers join business leaders, political veterans and high-profile guests in Central Hall Westminster on Thursday (27 November) morning.
Among them were Jennifer Saunders, Brian Eno, Deborah Meaden, Jarvis Cocker, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Mark Rylance and Jeremy Deller.
The event saw nine climate scientists, economists and national security experts warn that failing to address climate change will destabilise the chancellor’s economic ambitions.
Westminster veterans including Sir Vince Cable and Caroline Lucas were joined by hundreds of MPs and Peers, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
The first-of-its-kind event was opened by environmental campaigner and broadcaster Chris Packham and chaired by Professor Mike Berners-Lee.
Chris Packham told attendees: ‘climate denialism has been a mainstream thing again, thanks to the well-oiled machines of the rich, powerful and influential lobbyists from the fossil fuel and other industries.’
He warned that misinformation was being spread across the media, and worryingly was influencing decision makers.
Former military chief Richard Nugee warned attendees that global instability would be ‘inevitable’ if the UK does not act to protect crops from global warming.
‘Competition for water, food and land is rising’, Richard Nugee said. ‘We’ve seen these tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia … and potential flashpoints already seen between Pakistan, India, and China. This puts pressure on nearby regions causing instability which feeds into rival political tensions.’
Tim Berners-Lee joined actress Olivia Williamson to urge all those gathered to sign a letter to the prime minister and public service broadcasters, urging them to deliver Covid-style briefings on the climate crisis to the public.
The expert coalition also urged the UK Government to urgently lead as it did in WW2, including creating emergency legislation, job creation, investment and public engagement to transform prosperity, health and long-term security of all UK and global citizens and lead on delivering a global action plan.
‘We need a fundamental political reset, one that recognises access to food, housing and warmth are human rights’.
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