Why I became an ethical consumer

About 25 years ago I bought some teak furniture. A few years later I saw documentary on the logging industry in West Africa.

• The forest was desecrated leaving just tree stumps.
• Indigenous peoples lost their homes and means of sustaining themselves.
• The promised schools, health care and housing did not materialize.
• Female monkeys were killed - their young captured to be used for entertainment for the tourist industry.
• Thus the arrival of the logging companies resulted in social disaster for the people and an environmental catastrophe.
• And this destructive logging continues worldwide.

Was I part of that chain of destruction by contributing to the demand for hardwood furniture in the west? I have no means of knowing.

Ten years later an incident occurred which resulted in me considering the health implications of products.

• A friend became ill after installing a new carpet.
• She reacted to the chemicals (including formaldehyde) associated with the ‘new carpet’ smell.
• Fortunately the remedy came in the form of ‘pollution busting’ plants identified by a NASA scientist.

These two incidents were the main triggers for me to start asking questions about the products I bought and the effects of my purchases on other people and the planet.

Today I find it really easy to become an ethical shopper. So much more is known about the consequences of our purchasing habits. Information has been compiled in several accessible sources – the key ones are given in the links section of this website.

My background

I have broad portfolio of qualifications, which span both health care and the environment. These include:

• BSc Biological Sciences
• MSc in Nursing Education
• A number of professional courses in complementary therapies
• Non-degree courses in Permaculture and Biodynamic Agriculture
  

This has resulted in a diverse and stimulating range of work experience, paid and voluntary, including work in:

• Conventional and complementary health care settings
• Lecturing posts at two universities
• Horticultural and conservation work
  
  Most of the time I have been fortunate to combine teaching with some form of physical work, which helps me achieve a sense of balance.
  
  The talks I give on ‘Choices That Make a Difference’ bring together my wide range of work experience, personal interest and a desire to make a contribution to the care of people and the planet.