3/ It misrepresents the proposal. The idea isn’t government spin, it’s about creating a shared factual baseline, in a style like @nebriefing.bsky.social, run by scientists & campaigners Trivialising such briefings accepts a politics where govt reacts, not leads Watch the full NEB briefings here:

4/ We have a recent precedent. During COVID, the UK Chief Scientist & the Chief Medical Officer led daily briefings with politicians. These briefings didn’t just inform, they shaped public understanding. Essential for: – explaining risk – making sense of uncertainty – building public trust

5/ McCarthy then argues fewer people watch TV, especially younger people, so national briefings wouldn’t land But this is a false choice A national briefing should be multi-platform: TV, online, social media clips, community screenings You don’t abandon public information, you scale it!

6/ She also claims #climate is already “well reported” in the news. The evidence simply does not support this. UK news attention to climate has declined sharply, even as risks escalate, including around major moments like COP. climatenewstracker.org/cop30-declin...

7/ When climate is covered, it’s often: – episodic, not sustained – stripped of risk framing – disconnected from lived impact A new report finds only ~18 % of UK readers access independently regulated climate news, pointing to gaps in quality and oversight that risk misinformation.

8/ At the same time, parts of the UK press have become openly hostile to #climate action. For the first time, newspaper editorial opposition to climate policy now outweighs support. This is the media environment government is choosing to defer to, rather than lead.

9/ McCarthy praises “subtle” #climate messaging in BBC Natural History programming But subtlety is the opposite of what’s needed given the risks Climate breakdown should be central to news & current affairs, not tucked in wildlife docs Failing to grasp this distinction is incomprehensible!

10/ For years, critics have pointed out serious limits in nature programming: – crises softened or backgrounded – humans erased from responsibility – nature framed as pristine and distant e.g.

12/ Yes, sustained engagement matters. Yes, a one-off event is not enough. But this is not an either/or. A televised emergency briefing creates a shared baseline of understanding, without which democratic consent for climate policy simply does not exist.

13/ There’s also a legal obligation being ignored. Under Article 6 of the #UNFCCC, governments must ensure: – public access to #climate information – education and awareness – meaningful public participation People have a right to know the risks they face. unfccc.int/resource/doc...

14/ The wider context makes this worse. The Labour Party is now in government. The responsibility to level with the public lies squarely with them. Instead of rallying society to respond to #climate risk, key information has been delayed, downplayed, even suppressed!

15/ As newly reported by @ben-cooke.bsky.social in The Times, a UK #climate risk report warning of cascading crises, including migration & conflict, was kept from public view. This is not caution. It is political evasion.

16/ The letter shows a lack of leadership. Complexity isn’t a reason to avoid action, it’s why the state must lead. Community groups can support engagement but cannot replace the government’s duty to clearly communicate national risk. This is a failure to govern in the face of a known emergency

17/ Yet if the government won’t step up, the public cannot afford to wait. You can watch the National Emergency Briefing, share it, & help organise community screenings this spring. Civic action is critical, not a replacement for leadership, but a way to amplify the urgency. 👉 Get involved