Environment & Climate Crisis
“The truth is, every one of us,
no matter who we are or where we live,
can and must play a part in restoring nature.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless
by the scale of the issues facing our planet,
but we have the solutions.”
David Attenborough 2023
We meet on Zoom on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm and in person from time to time either at a member’s home or on an outing.
During 2024 we have covered a wide range of topics including the aims and origins of Earth Day, Methane, Environment and Climate in the Curriculum, A Community Homes Project, Fashion and Sustainability, Climate Score Cards to Rate Local Authorities, Water and Dealing with Climate Anxiety
We had 4 in person meetings / outings.
The topics and format are suggested and agreed by members of the group.
We have an excellent website which is regularly updated and contains a great deal of interesting and useful information – click on the link below.
THE GROUP’S AGREED PURPOSES ARE:
To promote group members’ own learning of and awareness about relevant issues: local and global, which could lead to individual and/or group action
To promote learning and generate awareness and enthusiasm amongst Croydon u3a members
“See our group web pages to find notes from the last meeting, some of the products and organisations we have come across and some other useful links”.
Recently we decided to change the group's name. The former title Environment and Climate Change seemed too 'soft'. Change usually indicates action for the better. Now we are known as The Environment & Climate Crisis Group.
We also recognise the danger of climate doom and despair so we aim to have some positive developments to share at each meeting. The group often shares information and links in between meetings so we are in regular contact.
An excellent presentation from John Baxter, the TAT's Subject Adviser was very much appreciated by members of this group and other members of the u3a on The Colours of Hydrogen Hydrogen in a net-zero energy economy. John's slides are available here.
John produces a very full and informative free monthly newsletter to keep us up to date with all things climate related. Contact him at: u3asecondnature@gmail.com for more information about joining the mailing list.
The Interest Group On-line Climate Change and the Environment website has lots of interesting links, resources and recordings of previous talks. Please click here.
We have links with a number of local environmental groups including Croydon Climate Action and held a very interesting workshop with a speaker from Greenpeace.
A Statement of Commitment towards the Environment was drawn up and launched to the general membership at the March General Meeting. We have been asked if it can be shared on the u3a COP 27 site and some other u3as have borrowed it. As Brenda Ainsley, top u3a climate expert and speaker said - it's too good not to share.
The Environment & Climate Crisis Group has been instrumental in leading a u3a initiative to buy 123 TREES to mark Croydon u3a's 35th Anniversary this April. This project is in support of the u3a Trust's scheme to plant trees on Sugar Loaf Hill in the Brecon Beacons National Park to celebrate the National 40th Anniversary and support the Queen's Green Canopy initiative to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
Our COPSE will have a plaque and GPS co-ordinates. The 2 year old native trees will be cared for by skilled arborists for 12 years. The plaque will say CROYDON u3a : ROOTED IN THE FUTURE.
During 2023 we have supported a Trees4Croydon initiative - walking for trees, and we did particularly well to help release funding to increase the biodiversity in the north of the borough. We assisted The Friends Of South Croydon Rec with hedge planting in mid-November, thus supporting a local community initiative.
If you'd like to join this group please contact the group leader.
We meet on zoom on the third Thursday evening at 7.30pm and occasionally in person.
New members will be very warmly welcomed.
