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
Dr Dermot Kennedy - “ Lister, Glasgow and Antisepsis: confluences that changed the world”
Wednesday, 16th June
Dr Georg Kroker - “A History of Termination of Pregnancy”
If you wish to attend a meeting but are unsure about using Zoom, please get in touch and we will try to help.
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.