WHAT WE CAN DO
 to help stop climate change

Produced by the u3a group ‘Climate Matters’ from Interest Groups Online, updated February 2026 

"No-one made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do so little"
Edmund Burke

Change should present opportunities, not threats.

This is the waste hierarchy, with the most preferred (greenest) option - prevent waste in the first place - at the top and the least preferred - responsible disposal - at the bottom.

The following points are intended as a guide – you will know what rings true for you and will find the suggestions that are appropriate for you, your physical capacity and your lifestyle. 

This is not a blueprint, just a set of ideas from u3a members that might inspire you!  Think of it as a ‘pick and mix’ with some new ideas to try.

Further information: Climate Matters.

Stage One - Conservation; Reducing Energy Consumption
Many of these are likely to be familiar to you and are steps you can take in your own life and home

Changing behaviour in these modest ways is not difficult and has benefits in lower bills and increased comfort (particularly the domestic energy measures).

Of course we need system change but about one third of the solutions needed are best implemented at household or family level. Only you can decide which actions suit you, but importantly, what you do will influence those around you.

Some suggestions

How you eat: Agricultural and fishery practices affect biodiversity, and shape the landscape and oceans

• Shop at local independent businesses, farmers’ markets, farm shops, honesty boxes
• Buy locally grown vegetables and fruit in season; grow your own if you can; join a community garden
• Eat less meat and dairy, particularly beef and lamb; add more nuts and pulses.
• Look for peat free compost for the garden  RHS
• Make a wildlife corner in your garden or local church or community garden
• Find out about biological control for pests
• Compost or recycle garden waste, look after your soil, make a dead hedge for pruned branches instead of burning                                    
• If you eat fish or seafood, look for sustainability

How you travel: See Our World in Data

• Fly less
• Look at rail for longer distances rather than flying
• Increase walking, cycling, use public transport where possible: is your journey really necessary?
• Drive less, drive more slowly, use a smaller car or an EV to save money on energy too
• Remember that cruise ships are energy greedy, and pollute the ocean.

How you live day to day at home:

• Reduce water use, especially hot water
• Fully insulate your loft; use draught excluders; double glazing
• Turn down the thermostat, turn off all appliances not in use (at the wall), improve home insulation, reduce energy consumption  These will also save you money!
• Change to an energy provider that generates renewable energy
• Take a look at Ethical Consumer magazine for help with your shopping decisions
• Buy fewer, good quality clothes that will last longer, or buy second hand.
• Learn how to repair your belongings, or use your local Repair Café.
• Buy less ‘stuff’; look for Fairtrade; use your consumer power when you choose what to buy; look for the B Corp logo
• If your family uses nappies, look for the new reusable brands eg The Nappy Lady
• Refuse unnecessary packaging especially plastic
• Look for your local zero waste shop or refill shop, take your own containers
• Recycle paper, glass, plastics, waste food
• Online, switch to Ecosia instead of other search engines (such as Google)
• Find out whether your bank or savings portfolio invests in fossil fuels.
• Fact check every claim you hear or read online, in the media etc.
• Full Fact; BBC Verify  
• Find out if your local u3a has a climate/sustainability group.  If not, consider joining our online group: Climate Matters.
• Look out for national u3a online talks about climate-related matters.  These are free.

Stage Two - Lobbying, Getting Connected and Informed
These steps are in many ways more challenging. If you are ready to make a wider difference, then you will need to 'speak truth to power' - your personal steps have much value but have limitations in changing the world!

Yes, these are ‘political’.  Climate change is ‘political’, but with a lower case ‘p’.  These links are all to well-respected bodies, organisations and academic institutions.

Information is power: become better informed and up to date. Be prepared to lobby and influence others:

• Watch the National Emergency Briefing on climate and nature
• Find out about the Climate Coalition and the work of the Climate Change Committee
• The IPCC (UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
• Being part of an organisation helps: such as Global Action Plan,  Friends of the Earth , Transition Towns and your local Climate Action Network, all of which provide support and ideas
• Take a look at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
• Further improve the level of your insulation
• Do all you can to influence organisations with which you interact, including those that employ you and any voluntary organisations with which you are involved.
• Also: Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research; What is climate change? - Met Office.

It is worth writing to your MP/MSP/Members of Welsh Assembly (MA) and Northern Ireland Assembly (MLS) to exhort them to push for carbon budgeting or any other of the climate emergency solutions: MPs have to take notice of their constituents, and a heavy postbag on one issue will really make a difference and will challenge their belief that ‘there are no votes in environmental issues’

Consider setting up a group in your local u3a.  There is a subject adviser to help you!

If you receive the ‘u3a Matters’ magazine, look out for climate related articles/write one yourself/send a letter to the Editor.

Stage Three - Changing Behaviour

Some of these suggestions are challenging: they tend to focus on your money, travel, home efficiency and diet, as these are areas where we can have the greatest impact – but they can be ‘outside the comfort zone’ for some.  Maybe you are already doing some of them:

• Swap your investments, savings, pension, mortgage etc to providers and Building Societies that do not invest in fossil fuels
• Move on from car ownership to car sharing
• Explore Car Clubs
• Aim to eliminate air travel, unless really necessary. 
• Explore the European rail system, interrailing (all ages); seek free advice from the Man in Seat 61
• Remember -  cruises are energy-greedy, polluting and wasteful
• If you have a property abroad, you might ask yourself if this is really sustainable, particularly if it is necessary to fly to use it.
• Research domestic renewable and sustainable energies
• Look into PV (solar) panels
• Consider backing this up with battery storage
• Install an air source or ground source heat pump
• Aim for a plant-based diet.
• Make every attempt to reduce your own ‘carbon footprint’  
• Explore the differences between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’.  Find out about alternative economic models: contact and/or join the New Economics Foundation
• Avoid buying anything new and buy only what you need.

Community Actions:

• Join in with more political/activist activity eg Extinction Rebellion (XR), Climate Action, local demonstrations, leafleting and canvassing
• ‘Guerrilla gardening’ in your community on roundabouts etc.
• Start your own campaign group
• Become a Plastic Free Community
• Encourage children and young people in starting/joining school clubs/campaigns/school actions
• Use or volunteer at your local ‘Repair Café’ – or maybe set one up
• Join – or set up -  a Climate Café

As Sir David Attenborough said in late 2019 “The longer we leave it, not doing things but going on talking about the problems, the worse it’s going to get.  And in the end, unless we do something, it becomes insoluble.  So now is the moment”.

 That is now seven years ago!

Page owner: Brenda Ainsley