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Linda's Talks

topAbout the talks


Who are the talks for?

The talks have primarily been developed to address the needs of small groups and the individuals who have the sometimes unenviable task of having to arrange speakers for monthly meetings!

What are the talks about?

The talks are informal and bring together health, social, environmental issues in an innovative way which it is informative, will stimulate thought, and entertain. The talks indirectly address some of the major issues that are affecting health and well being of people and the planet today (climate change, pollution and poverty). They present a range of choices that individuals can make whether they are buying food or a new computer that can contribute in a more positive manner to health and well-being of themselves, others and the planet.

The list of talks and suggested content is just an indication of the material that may be used. The content of the talks can be varied to meet the interests of the different groups and to take into account topical issues.

Where will the talks be given?

Generally the talks will only be available to groups in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the Welsh Borders.

Workshops

Workshops are developed around the broad content area of the talks and are tailored to meet the needs of specific groups.

 

topFood for thought


Today we are seemingly presented with a vast choice of food, originating from anywhere on the globe, prepared dishes and processed food. How good is this amount of choice in terms of our own health and that of people involved in the production of food and the planet?

This is a wide subject area and topics may include:

  • Some of the stories behind commonly available food items
  • Organic versus non organic debate
  • Processed versus non processed food
  • Local versus non-local suppliers
  • More choice than ever? Why some of the food options have decreased
  • Misled by the labeling
  • How healthy is our food
  • Fair Trade
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topCan’t see the wood for the trees are goneBringewood


Forests and woodlands throughout the world are under threat. Forests have been described as the lungs of the earth and have a direct effect on the climate both locally and globally. With the loss of forests there is a loss of habitat with widespread loss of associated plants and animals. In some cases way of life of indigenous peoples is also lost. Many of us inadvertently contribute to a reduction in the forest cover through the products we buy.

Topics may include:

  • More than just a tree - the importance of trees from the tropical rainforest to the suburban garden
  • The stories behind some of the products – garden furniture, charcoal, palm oil, paper, essential oils
  • The use of trees throughout history
  • Folklore about trees
  • Sourcing woods and wood products from sustainable resources
  • Recycling- more that putting newspapers in the bin – how to source recycled wood derived products
  • The alternatives to wood based products
  • Woodland creation
  • Woodland burials
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topWater, water everywhere and not a drop to drinkWater - nature's miracle

Water has been revered throughout the ages. It is only in relatively recent times that its value has been reduced to a mere commodity, something to be had at the turn of a tap. Yet without water life as we know it on this earth would not exist. This talk can cover subjects that range from pragmatic to be esoteric

Topics may include:

  • Water cycles
  • Water as a precious resource
  • Water as revered by different cultures across the continents and time
  • Changes in the distribution of water in the 21st century
  • The role of water in daily lives and in the industrialized world
  • Conserving water at home and away
  • Water and health
  • The tap versus bottled water debate and ways of purifying tap water
  • More than H2O? The life force and memory of water
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topLooking good - feeling good


We live in an age where appearance is everything. We are bombarded by media images that imply that to be successful, popular and happy one must be young, thin, beautiful and dressed in the latest designer clothes. Do cosmetics cover up more than blemishes? Are cosmetics and personal care products as healthy as they would appear? Do we inadvertently buy clothes that flout some of the principles we like to live our lives by?

Topics may include: Fairtrade

  • What’s in the bottle – Natural versus synthetic based cosmetics and toiletries
  • Problem of labeling
  • Toiletries and health
  • Synthetic clothing versus natural fabrics
  • Natural fabrics at a cost – the story behind cotton
  • Back to traditional methods of growing cotton - benefits to people and planet
  • The hemp revival
  • The transformation of plastic bottles into fabric - fleeces, scarves, blankets
  • Employment in the garment industry here and abroad
  • Fairtrade options
  • Locally produced clothing
  • Eco, guilt free, pleasures of buying from and giving to charity shops

 

topPresents galore


Christmas Day, Mother’s day, and Valentine’s day are perhaps the three times in the year when many people’s attention turns to buying presents. Although it is great to give and to receive some of the presents we give are not all that they seem.


Topics may include:

  • The stories behind some of the presents - chocolate, flowers, mobile phones and toys
  • Packaging
  • Finding presents that you are happy to give
  • Presents with a difference – that benefit people in the developing world
  • How the meaning of Mothers Day has changed since its inception – giving with these ideals in mind
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topA win win situationAdding colour to the diet


There is little excuse for not knowing what is good for our health. We are bombarded with healthy lifestyle messages yet for whatever reasons we do not always put these in to practice. Taking steps to look after our health can not only be good for ourselves and family, but also the community we live in and the planet.

Topics may include:

  • Eating for ourselves and the planet
  • Drinks in proportion – health and resource issues
  • Effective relaxation without resorting to the TV
  • Transforming daily activities into effective exercise and saving energy
  • Caring for your garden so it cares for you
  • The outdoor gym
  • Developing your creativity to benefit your health and save resources
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topTravel that doesn’t cost the Earth


Nowadays most people spend most of their time in a concrete/brick box, then transfer to a metal box with wheels just to spend time in another concrete/brick box. We are travelling further and further for work, leisure and shopping. This erodes our time and has negative impacts on our health and the environment. As air travel becomes cheaper in monetary terms people are travelling further afield for holidays. The tourist industry brings in foreign currency to many countries but often at a cost to the local people and local resources.

Topics may include:

  • Holidays abroad – the winners and losers
  • Responsible tourism where people and the environment count
  • Vegetarian holiday options
  • Working holidays here and abroad
  • The true cost of different forms of transport
  • Rethinking the car
  • Offsetting carbon emissions
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topMaking your home fit for the 21st centuryToxin free flooring


Sitting behind closed doors it is easy to feel safe and separate from the outside world. But how safe is your house? Levels of indoor pollution are often higher than outside. Whilst we may feel isolated from the outside world our homes are not. The choices we make about the house from our use of energy to the products we buy impact on the outside world.

Topics include:

  • Causes of indoor pollution
  • The effects of indoor pollution on health
  • Positive choices to reduce the levels of indoor pollution
  • Beyond the home – the impact of your choices at home on the wider world
  • Being miserly with energy – without noticing the difference
  • Energy choices and service providers
  • Valuing and making better use of water
  • The three R’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
  • Buying recycled goods to complete the recycling cycle
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topWhose garden is it anyway?


We treat gardens as an extension of the homes. Yet the garden is a living entity which is an integral part of the biosphere.

Topics may include:

  • Gardens held in trust – borrowed from future generations
  • Gardens as part of the earth’s land and ecosystem
  • Crossing boundaries – air, water, animals, plants
  • The importance of gardens compared to nature reserves
  • The garden as a consumer of resources versus a generator of resources
  • Gardening that doesn’t cost the earth
  • Organic and permaculture principles
  • Peat
  • The demise of local nurseries
  • The garden as sacred space
  • A place of many functions - relaxation, recreation, exercise, food production
  • Summary of choices that make a difference

 

topSpoilt for choice

This talk is an introduction to the broad subject of ethical consumerism and choices that make a difference to our own lives, and the health and well-being of other people and the planet. Each talk tends to be very different as I adapt the content in response to questions asked or the interests of different groups. The material is drawn from the other talks that are listed.

 

topOther


If your group has specific topic in mind that embraces my aims and objectives presenting talks which encompass health and well-being of people and the planet please get in contact with me. I have a wealth of information to draw on and love the challenge of developing new talks that are thought provoking, entertaining and informative.

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