Science & Technology Group
For subjects of current and historical interest.
The Science and Technology Group meets monthly to learn about and discuss topics of current and historical interest. The format for the meetings is not fixed but will include presentations, discussions and possibly visits. No prior knowledge of particular subjects will be assumed and everyone will have a chance to ask questions or contribute a point of view.
As we cannot currently meet in person, we are holding our monthly meetings using Zoom. As before, the meetings are at 2pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Climate Change Conference COP26
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, better known as COP26 in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. This is the global climate conference that was postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic. Leaders will gather in Glasgow to make key decisions on how to tackle the crisis facing us all. The 26th COP is the most significant since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 when world leaders committed to an agreement to tackle climate change and limit global mean temperature increase to significantly less than 2C and 1.5C if possible. In November, nations will be reviewing their emissions targets.
You can find information about it via the link UKCOP26
Glasgow City Council has a significant role to play and you can read more about this via the link Glasgow COP. The Council is seeking to recruit 1000 volunteers to help with the largest event ever held in Scotland.
The Trust u3a has set up a group called Countdown to COP26 which has a discussion every month. Have a look via this web page Countdown to COP26
Talks for 2020/2021
Wednesday, 21st October.
This Question and Answer event on the current Covid19 crisis will give members of the group an opportunity to put their questions directly to specialists in infectious diseases and immunology - Dr Dermot Kennedy and Professor David Stott.
Wednesday, 18th November
Dr Martin Eales: Geology, Unification of the British Isles
Wednesday, 16th December
Geoff Der: Statistics
Wednesday, 20th January
Dr David Lawson: Bird Migration
Wednesday, 17th February
Prof David Stott: Vaccines
Wednesday, 17th March
Robin Brand: Skylark, Britain's First Space Rocket
Wednesday, 21st April
Dr Simon Cuthbert - “Mars: A Strangely Familiar World”
Wednesday, 19th May
TBC
If you wish to attend the meeting but are unsure about using Zoom, please get in touch and we will try to help.
For any more details, please contact Alan Watt using the pigeon link.
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Our Programme for 2019 - 2020
18 September
The Internet. Guest speaker, Walter Patterson. "The Internet is something that we use and take for granted in our daily lives. But what exactly is 'the Internet'? Why was it first created - and by whom? Who controls it, and is that a matter of concern? What is net neutrality and why should it be preserved? What is the dark web? These fascinating (and sometimes troubling) questions will be examined."
16 October
Farming for a Better Climate – how farmers can help us move towards net zero carbon. Guest speaker Rebecca Audsley, Scotland's Rural College. “Some of the expected impacts of climate change on farmers and the measures they are putting in place both to cope with changes and to reduce their contribution to it.”
20 November
The a State of Nature in Scotland. Guest speaker, Dr Sheena Wurthmann. ”Earlier this year, Scottish Natural Heritage published a report titled The State of Nature Scotland 2019. This report draws on evidence from numerous sources to present a picture of the status of wildlife species in the country and to try to interpret this information.”
18 December
Improving the Clyde - Wind turbines, walls, dams and dredging Guest Speaker: Charles Scott. "A trip down the Clyde from the Lowther hills to the Erskine Bridge looking at the man-made enhancements to the river and what provoked them - with illustrations and maps."
15 January
The threat of new and emerging infections. Speaker: GWE member Dr Dermot Kennedy
19 February
“Glasgow’s rocks and landscape - record of a voyage through deep time”.. Guest speaker: Dr Simon Cuthbert, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow.
18 March
Cancelled
15 April
Cancelled
20 May
Cancelled
17 June
Cancelled
New members are always welcome, even if there is only one talk that interests you. We also welcome your suggestions for subjects that you would like to discuss.
Click on the pigeon if you want to ask the co-ordinator a question by email.