u3a

Climate Change and the Environment

Climate Matters

🌍 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

🕙 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-Chairs 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

14 Nov Adapting to Climate Change Tickets, Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
 17 Nov  Tiny Algae with Big Impact: The response of micro-algae to river pollution Tickets, Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
25 Nov Are you Influential? Get your voice heard in the UK Parliament Tickets, Tue 25 Nov 2025 at 14:00 | Eventbrite
9 Dec The Importance of Fungi for the Environment and Humans Tickets, Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Meeting in person:
1-3 July 2026 York Jamboree

Future Monthly Meetings
Fridays at 10:00am on the following dates:

28th November 2025 - Speaker Ian Hawker - detailed overview of COP 30

Here’s just a glimpse of what we’ve been up to:

  • Attending COP26 in Glasgow
  • Developing intergenerational climate education materials
  • Participating in climate forums at University College London and London Business School
  • Running a stall and workshops at the York Jamboree in 2024, plan to repeat in 2026, and have a presence at the Scotland Jamboree.
  • Holding successful Summer Schools at the Centre for Alternative Technology (Wales) in 2023, and at the University of Warwick in 2025.

🌟 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!

  • 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