From John Marsham and Jean Sullivan…
Members of Ilkley Harriers and North Leeds Fell Runners (NLFR) recently came together for a special screening of the Public Emergency Briefing (PEB) film on the Climate and Nature crisis, as featured in the Ilkley Gazette.
The event began in the best possible way: with a sunny run across Ilkley Moor. After the run, members gathered to watch the film and take part in a lively discussion about the challenges facing our climate and natural environment.
Before the screening, runners heard from ultra-running legends Damian Hall and Jasmin Paris, founders of The Green Runners movement. In a pre-recorded Q&A, they shared their experiences, insights and practical ideas for reducing running’s environmental footprint while continuing to enjoy the sport we love. Watch the recording here.
The PEB film itself is based on the November 2025 Westminster National Emergency Briefing (NEB) of MPs, peers and other leaders on the climate and nature crisis. There are now over 5000 screenings of the film across the UK, and increasingly in other countries.
For anyone who missed the Harriers screening, the Gazette lists seven other upcoming local screenings and more can be found on the NEB website.
Upcoming Screenings
- Christchurch, Ilkley: Friday 23 October, 7:00pm
- Ilkley Quaker Meeting House: Monday 2 November, 7:30pm
How Runners Can Get Involved
The National Emergency Briefing campaign encourages people to:
- Sign the petition calling for a government-backed national briefing on climate and nature risks.
- Attend/host a screening to help spread awareness and encourage discussion.
- Write to your MP to support the call for a national government-backed briefing.
Please note the call is for a national briefing, not for this film to be shown on TV, and not for specific policies. Robbie Moore (MP for Keighley and Ilkley) is not so far supporting the NEB, despite writing to the Prime Minister on the topic.
The Green Runners’ Four Pillars
One of the highlights of the evening was discussing how runners can make a difference through the four pillars promoted by The Green Runners.
- How We Speak Out
There was wide agreement that using your voice is the most important action, as individual action alone cannot create the scale of change needed. Simply starting conversations with friends, family, club mates or fellow runners can help build awareness and momentum. Supporting the NEB campaign’s call for a national briefing (see above) adds your voice to the many others who are now calling for a national briefing.
The other three pillars are more about personal carbon footprints – which as well as reducing emissions can encourage others to act (though it’s worth noting the fossil fuel industry essentially invented the “personal footprint” – focusing on individual change not system change). For context, the average UK citizen emits about 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year (in so-called “territorial” emissions).
- How We Move
Travel is often the biggest part of a runner’s environmental impact.
Jasmin and Damian shared their thoughts on reducing flying where possible. Flying is high impact: one London-New York return flight is about 1.6 tonnes (for comparison a UK petrol/diesel car typically emits about 2 tonnes per year). Choosing a lower-carbon alternative such as rail travel is essential. Closer to home, car-sharing to races and club runs is an easy win: it cuts costs, reduces emissions and is more sociable
- How We Fuel
Food choices can make a significant difference.
Jasmin and Damian discussed the benefits of including more plant-based meals in our diets, with switching to a plant-based diet saving up to 2 tonnes/year. The message was encouraging and realistic: you don’t have to become a vegan, just small changes to a more plant-based way of eating by many people can have a meaningful impact.
- How We Kit Up
As runners, it’s easy to be tempted by the latest shoes, jackets and gadgets.
The Green Runners encourage us to get more life out of the kit we already own, repair where possible and buy thoughtfully when replacements are needed. Making kit last longer not only reduces waste, it also saves money and helps reduce the environmental impact of producing new gear.
Caring for the Trails, Moors and Landscapes We Run Through
For runners, climate and nature are not abstract issues. They affect the trails we race on, the hills we train over and the wild places that bring us joy, challenge and adventure.
Events like this remind us that while we may run as individuals, we are part of a wider community that cares deeply about the future of the places we love. By speaking out, making thoughtful choices and encouraging others to get involved, runners can play an important role in helping protect those landscapes for future generations.