The climate and nature crisis is not simply another media topic. It is a major national risk affecting food security, infrastructure, health, the economy and national resilience. Keeping the public informed about serious national threats is a core responsibility of government.

A televised briefing should be introduced by the Prime Minister to signal to the public that this is a situation of the utmost seriousness. The key facts should be presented by independent experts to maximise trust and public buy-in.

During Covid, the government worked with independent scientists to brief the public on the risks, the actions being taken, and what citizens could do to help. Broadcasters played an important role, but the process was led by government because public safety is ultimately a governmental responsibility.

We are proposing something similar here: a calm, factual national briefing led primarily by independent experts, facilitated by government in partnership with broadcasters. Documentaries are valuable, but they do not carry the same civic authority or signal the same level of national seriousness as a formal public briefing supported by government institutions.