"The Little Things That Run the World": Film screening + Panel Discussion, with Transition Town Reading, 6.00 pm on Tuesday, June 16th (2026).

"Anyone who cares about our natural world and our place in it should watch this documentary."                               

As part of the Reading Climate Festival (2026), and in collaboration with Transition Town Reading, join us for a screening of "The Little Things That Run the World", including a post-film Q&A panel discussion. To be held at the independent cinema, "Reading Biscuit Factory," at 6.00 pm on Tuesday, June 16th (2026), 1 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QE.

                                              Here is the booking link

The Film:

"The Little Things that Run the World" introduces viewers to a diverse group of scientists, nature lovers, gardeners, farmers, and general bug enthusiasts in exploring the importance of flying insects amid rapid declines in their numbers. This most numerous group of animals on the planet by far—three quarters of all species—have also been called the "glue of life" on Earth. They literally hold ecosystems together.

Insects were the first animals to evolve flight nearly 440 million years ago, and they survived all five of the known mass extinctions since then. But, there is evidence that the pace of decline among insects in parts of the world today is fast approaching the levels of previous catastrophes. What this means for the rest of life on Earth, including humans, is the focus of the film.

The film documents the mysteries of the declines alongside creative and heroic human efforts to change the course of evolutionary history. What is causing this extinction crisis? What can be done to reverse the trend? The Little Things that Run the World attempts to find answers to those questions and more."


Post-film Q&A panel:

Prof Chris Rhodes, Director of Fresh-lands Environmental Actions, and Chair of Transition Town Reading.

Dr Chris Foster, Lecturer in Animal Ecology, University of Reading, and University lead for biodiversity on the Environmental Sustainability Committee.

Grahame Hawker, Vice-chair of the Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation, and President of the Reading and District Natural History Society.

Tricia Marcouse, environmental engineer and local naturalist, focussing on benefits of local green spaces on behalf of ECONET and RDNHS.

Evening Programme:

6.00 pm, "The Little Things That Run the World"

7.45 pm, short break

8.00 pm, Q&A panel discussion

8:35 pm, approx. finish


Film Director:

Doug Hawes-Davis

Reviews "The Little Things That Run the World is a visual treat! You'll come for the incredible insect photography and stay for the important lessons on land use, habitat disruption, native plants, and avoiding monocultures. This is an important and visually entrancing film that reminds us of the perils of ignoring the needs of our invertebrate neighbors." Chris Stelzig, Executive Director, Entomological Society of America "What a terrific and timely summary of the global status of insects! E.O. Wilson and more than a dozen other world-renown scientists provide insightful critiques of the anthropogenic causes of insect declines and what we can do going forward to protect insect biodiversity. The stunning photography, sobering statistics, and insightful interviews make the film a valuable resource for students, educators, conservation biologists, policy makers, and environmentalists looking to build a more sustainable and just future for humanity and nature." David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut "At times inspiring, at times heartbreaking, The Little Things That Run the World digs into understanding global insect decline. Today we are experiencing a new Silent Spring. The causes now are more complex and daunting, and we are moving closer to irreversible extinctions of the pollinators and ecosystem engineers that power the food webs supporting humanity. Yet this hopeful film shows that solutions are local, and that in our gardens, farms, and cities, we are far from helpless to turn the tide." Daniel Gruner, Professor of Entomology, University of Maryland "The Little Things That Run the World provides a thorough exploration of insect declines that includes historic context, scientific evidence, and examples of individuals making a difference. The film provides a great example of bringing peer-reviewed scientific literature to life. Pairing viewings of the films with readings of scientific literature referenced in the film or other scientific work by scientists featured in the film would be a great classroom activity." Elaine Evans, Extension Professor of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Author, Befriending Bumble Bees: A Guide to Raising Local Bumble Bees and Managing Alternative Pollinators "Insects are facing unprecedented decline, and we are to blame. This excellent documentary gives experts in the field of Entomology a powerful platform from which to sound the alarm. Anyone who cares about our natural world and our place in it should watch this documentary to learn what is happening and what we should be doing to fix what we have broken." Ryan St Laurent, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Curator of Entomology, Museum of Natural History, University of Colorado-Boulder "Deeply engaging...Leaves us with a sense of wonder and a gentle, optimistic call to action, inspiring us to appreciate and protect the delicate balance of our natural world. It's a mesmerizing exploration of the vital yet often overlooked role of insects in our global ecosystem...A documentary that is both scientifically rigorous and visually stunning, taking us on a journey into the intricate world of these tiny creatures, and reminding us how fundamental they are to life as we know it." Lighthouse International Film Festival Jury Statement "The Little Things that Run the World provides a balanced, complete, and current covering of insect biodiversity loss, sharing the stunning beauty and enormous diversity of insects and the passion of those who devote their lives to understand and protect them. Even though the biodiversity crisis we are experiencing is extremely worrisome and there is no one solution that can solve it, there is a multiplicity of simple (and more complex) actions that every person can do to stop it." Anahi Espíndola, Associate Professor of Entomology, University of Maryland "Through striking visuals and content that is fully aligned with the current science, The Little Things That Run the World uncovers the essential role insects play in sustaining life on earth. With ecosystems under pressure, global experts outline the urgent threats facing insect population, and the critical steps humanity must take to halt their decline." Simon Potts, Professor of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Director, Center for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading

“What If a Better World Were Possible?" A film made by Transition Town Reading.

"In times of great change, resilient local communities will be the bedrock of future societies."

Post-film Q&A panel (L-R): Dr Tony Cowling, Austin Jacobs, Prof. Chris Rhodes, Stuart Ward, Ramandeep Nijjar, Kathryn McCann, Guglielmo Miccolupi, Natalie Ganpatsingh.

The film premiere.

Transition Town Reading have made a film, entitled: “What If a Better World Were Possible?" showcasing some of the really great "community action" projects happening in our town of Reading (UK). The filmmaker was Liam Rooney.

The film was premiered at Reading University, Minghella Studios, this week (6-5-26), aimed particularly at students. 

There will be further screenings, both for the local community and as part of the Reading Climate Festival: dates and venues to be confirmed, and more to come (watch this space!).

Meanwhile, here is a synopsis of the film:

"In the heart of Reading, local changemakers are harnessing the power of nature and community to realise their vision of a better world.

While many of the World's problems are global – the climate emergency, resource scarcity, pollution, overconsumption and wealth inequality – the local scale is becoming an increasingly potent source of adaptable, systemic change.

Our film celebrates and brings together 7 brilliant community led initiatives across energy, water, waste, nature connection and ecosystem restoration.

These include, pub dwellers rallying to restore their local marsh, a community owned hydro-power project, solar energy installed all across town, community tree planting, and Solar Punk stories of the future, writ large across public walkways.

The film is about the joy of possibility in the face of uncertainty, cultivating a deep collective sense of place, and the power of local community action. 


From What is, to What If?

The Transition Town movement begins with a shared vision, and then works step by step, action by action, until that vision becomes real.

"It is members of the community who are the force of change. We hope the film lights the way for others to see what they might also do in their own town, village, or street. We're building the story of our future, and acting together to make it real." 

- Chris Rhodes, chair of Transition Town Reading.”

Why are Fuel Prices so High?

[This was published in a local newsletter "Caversham Bridge", but given the current fuel price increases, I thought it might be helpful to post it here, not only for the residents of Caversham, but everyone].

The price of fuel has rocketed, with UK national petrol and diesel averaging 158p and 191p a litre, their highest for several years. This is a knock-on effect of the war in the Middle East, and specifically the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil normally transits onto global markets. Due to consequent supply restrictions, the price of oil has soared to well above $100 a barrel. Since petrol and diesel are made from oil, their costs are impacted directly, with a $10 increase in oil pushing fuel prices up by around 7p per litre at the pump.


Tips for saving on money and fuel.

Shop Around: Typically, supermarket prices are among the lowest and motorway service areas the highest. Websites, such as petrolprices.com, can help find the cheapest fuel in your area, as prices often vary between different stations. Nonetheless, panic-buying fuel makes the overall situation worse.

Drive Efficiently: avoid abrupt braking and rapid acceleration, maintain a steady speed and shift gears earlier (in manual cars) – this can improve fuel economy by up to 10–30%.

Reduce Speed: Speeds of around 45–55 mph (where safe) often provide the optimum fuel efficiency.

Good Vehicle Practice: Keep tyres correctly inflated, curb unnecessary weight (e.g., empty the boot), and remove roof racks when not needed.

Combine Trips: Since a cold engine is less efficient than a warm one, combine several short trips into one.

Do Without a Car: Use public transport, carpool with neighbours and workmates, or walk/cycle wherever possible.

Work from Home: As far as is feasible, reduce commuting to minimise fuel use.


The Future.

While hoping fervently that the present situation will soon be resolved, oil will not last forever. Eventually, it will become increasingly more expensive and less available, so the present situation may provide a foretaste of what to expect, and how best to deal with this.

The idea of Transition Towns arose in anticipation of “peak oil”, which is where oil production reaches a maximum and then declines. A society with less oil will necessarily become more locally based, building more supportive, and self-sufficient communities, far less vulnerable to external shocks.

Undoubtedly, we face many interconnected and systemic challenges, but all essential efforts toward re-localisation and community resilience may provide the strongest available single buffer against the many storms that are likely to prevail upon us.

Strait of Hormuz Chokehold Released for Now, but Global Supply Chains Remain at Risk.

                 

                                    Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump has suspended his threatened bombing of Iran for two weeks, subject to the safe repassage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. One can only feel a sense of relief that last night’s worst horrors of utter destruction did not materialise, but wonder where matters will go from here?

The importance of this channel cannot be underestimated, since it is the conduit for 20% each of the world’s traded oil and gas. It is also the gateway for one third of the world’s agricultural fertilizers, 30% of its helium (used to cool the magnets of MRI scanners and in data centres, and for electronics manufacturing) and 50% of global sulphur, which is converted to sulphuric acid, essential for the extraction of copper, cobalt, and phosphate rock – the latter, again, for fertilizers.

Aluminium, petrochemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals also pass through the strait, and for Gulf countries, it is a critical portal for imported food, upon which there is a high dependency.

The name derives from Hormoz, which is a Middle Persian expression of Ahura Mazda – the Zoroastrian deity of wisdom, light, and cosmic order. However, in this terrestrial and mortal realm, order is profoundly under threat of fracture.

Trump has given credit for this abeyance of military onslaught to Pakistan, who have steadfastly offered their hand to broker peace in the region. Pakistan is also a key member of a new four-nation alliance, along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, and a nuclear power.

Even were the strait to remain open, full flow of energy and materials will take considerable time to recover, along with the knock-on effects from damage to refineries and pipelines. A further issue is the massive insurance costs for ships passing through the region. Should a lengthy interruption ensue, the global consequences are likely to be catastrophic. It is noteworthy that some analysts do not predict a "mass exodus" of ships through the strait, which will still require permission from the Iranians to make the transit.

Against this backdrop, and a chilling prospect that “A whole civilization will die”, I was profoundly moved by the Easter messages from the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, in each case their first, both calling for peace in the Middle East. In his address to thousands in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope Leo told them: “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace,” while, in Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah Mullally pressed for an “end [to] violence and destruction”. 

At a time of the National Emergency Briefing, it is clear that the world must focus on cooperation and harmony, if we are to deal with the climate and nature crisis - not fight to the bitter end for what is left of the Earth’s resources.

"The Energy and Climate Conundrum," talk by Prof. Chris Rhodes, on April 28th (2026), 7-9 pm, Zero Degrees Reading.

Oil runs the world, as we see from the present Chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. I shall be speaking at Reading Cafe Scientifique in Zero Degrees bar, on Tuesday, April 28th, at 7pm: "The Energy and Climate Conundrum".

"The Energy and Climate Conundrum."


Short Blurb:

Crude oil is the backbone of modern industrial civilisation, underpinning most of its transportation, supply chains, manufacturing, and agriculture.

82% of the primary energy used by humans on Earth is from fossil fuels, but our increasing use of all oil, gas and coal, is driving a relentlessly changing climate.

While our energy sources must be decarbonised, this alone will not solve the fundamental problem, which is that the human species is in ecological overshoot.

A systemic solution is required, to bring about a consolidated amelioration of climate change, biodiversity loss, and relentless degradation of the ecosphere.

But, how might we bring about the changes necessary to build a thriving, sustainable, future civilisation?"

Speaker Bio:

Professor Chris Rhodes is Director of the independent consultancy, Fresh-lands Environmental Actions, and a Board member of Scientists Warning Europe. He became a full professor in physical chemistry in his early 30s, and was awarded a Higher Doctorate (DSc) by the University of Sussex. 

Chris is a scientific advisor to the European Commission and the governments of many nations. He has published more than 260 peer reviewed academic papers, which have received around 25,000 citations, along with an extensive online collection of essays and journalism.

He is ranked by Stanford University as being in the top 0.04% of World Scientists. 

Chris is also Chair of Transition Town Reading, and author of the black comedy novel ‘University Shambles’, and an award-winning children’s picture book, ‘Hippy the Happy Hippopotamus’, which has been described as a modern day "eco-parable". He is also a published poet.