🌍 Welcome to ‘Climate Matters’ – A u3a Group with Purpose
Are you concerned about the future of our planet? Do you want to better understand the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change? Are you eager to be part of a thoughtful, active, and welcoming u3a online group? Then Climate Matters is the group for you.
Our group reflects a broad and enduring commitment to one of the most critical issues of our time. Climate Matters – because it truly does. Search on the links below to find out more:
When and where we meet
How to join
National talks
Meeting in person
Future monthly meetings
A glimpse of what we're been up to
Inspirational speakers
Intergenerational Dialogue
National Emergency Briefing
Summer School 2025
What we can do
WWF Energy Calculator
🕙 When and Where We Meet
We meet online on the last Friday of every month at 10:00am for a 90-minute session filled with meaningful conversation, shared learning, and collaboration. We do not meet in December. Each session includes opportunities for small-group discussion via breakout rooms.
🌍 How to join
First, join interest groups online, run directly by the Third Age Trust. You have to pay once, and then have access to all the groups. Interest Groups Online At the time of writing, the annual fee was £12.
Then look through the great list of groups, and find Climate Matters. You need to be signed in with your email address. Click to join!
The Group Co-Leaders are Jenny Wilson and Eleanor Brooks.
Ongoing comments by group members on topical issues are shared on our Facebook page (sign up needed)
All online meetings and events are recorded, including our monthly meetings.
National Talks
Meeting in person:
15 May 2026 Lichfield - light café lunch and explore local sites (more detail to follow)
1-3 July 2026 York Jamboree
Future Monthly Meetings
Fridays at 10:00am on the following dates:
| Date | Speaker | Topic |
| 27 March 2026 | John Stott | UK Electricity bills: What are they made of? |
| 24 April 2026 | Panel of members | An impartial look at heat pumps |
| 8 May 2026 | Additional session | National Emergency Briefing [Climate Change & Environment]: how you can bring the film to your u3a/community |
| 29 May 2026 | Ian Hawker | Climate migration |
| 26 June 2026 | Keith Jackson | The Boston Spa Energy Project |
| 31 July 2026 | Anna Hughes | Flight free UK |
Here’s just a glimpse of what we’ve been up to:
- Attending the National Emergency Briefing on Climate, London 2025
- Holding successful Summer Schools at the Centre for Alternative Technology (Wales) in 2023, and at the University of Warwick in 2025
- Running a stall and workshops at the York Jamboree in 2024, plan to repeat in 2026, and had a presence at the Scotland u3a Jamboree August 2025
- Participating in climate forums at University College London and London Business School
- Attending COP26 in Glasgow
- Developing intergenerational climate education materials
🌟 Inspirational Speakers
We’ve had the honour of hosting acclaimed climate thinkers such as:
- Mike Berners-Lee, author of There is No Planet B
- Erik Dalhuijsen, physicist and sustainability advocate
You can view past speakers and presentations on our Climate Change Network: Climate Matters Monthly Meetings page.
📆 Dates for Your Diary
- National Online Learning Events – A great opportunity to engage with the wider u3a community. Find more information here.
💬 Stay Connected
We’re more than a monthly meeting. Join our closed Facebook group and WhatsApp groups to continue the conversation, share news, and stay updated with climate-related content.
📣 In the News
Look out for us in the IGO Newsletters and u3a Matters!
- Climate Matters Summer School 2025 in Warwick - Featured in Spring 2026 edition of u3a Matters page 20
- National Emergency Briefing - Featured in Spring 2026 edition of u3a Matters page 65
- A valuable contribution - Scottish Jamboree - Featured in Winter 2025 edition of u3a Matters
- Go for Green by Ann Woolley - Featured in Autumn 2025 edition of u3a Matters
- Second Nature by Pete Rowberry - Featured in Autumn 2025 edition of u3a Matters
- IGO's Green Energy Photos – Featured in January 2024 News Extra
- Why Hydrogen? – A thoughtful piece by David, also in January 2024 News Extra
🌟 Join Us – Climate Matters Needs You
Whether you’re an experienced climate activist or just beginning your journey of understanding, your voice matters. This is a welcoming space to learn, reflect, and take action – together.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Let’s make a difference, one conversation at a time.
Page owner: Linda Creed
Last updated 27 March 2026