Press Release 1 November 2007
Linda Shaw describes herself as an ordinary woman who feels an extraordinary passion to help shape a better future for our planet. To that end the Auckland woman has left behind a corporate career to take on a new role as an `eco-advocate’ – holding workshops and speaking with people across New Zealand on how to be inspired, informed and take action to protect the environment.
During November and December Linda is holding a series of workshops on `Changing the World in 5 Minutes a Day’.
“So many people feel either despair or inertia when it comes to knowing what to do to help with the serious situation our world is in because of climate change and issues such as peak oil,” says Linda. “For that reason I’ve designed a series of simple but effective ways that will help move people away from anxiety and confusion to feeling in control of what happens next … for themselves, for their family, community and the larger world.”
Subjects covered in the workshops include:
- Resourcefulness to discover new ways of living
- Resilience to adapt to coming events
- Reskilling in areas that support your future lifestyle
- Flexibility to handle changes and to work in a communal way with others
- Courage to think and act differently in a changing world
- Committing to action and to work with people to create an impact
- Learning to laugh in the face of the most challenging decade in human history
Linda’s background is in speaking, training, management, local government and export marketing. She is currently president of the Auckland chapter of the National Speakers Association of New Zealand.
While she is no scientist, economist or politician, Linda believes it is ordinary humans making real changes in their lives who can have the greatest impact. “The Ecologist Magazine’s latest poll showed 74% of people believe that one person can make a difference,” says Linda who calls her business Mecology: You Are A Global Movement of One (www.mecology.com).
Dates for Linda’s workshops are:
- November 21, 7pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby
- November 28, 7pm Earthsong Community Hall, Swanson Road, Ranui
- December 1, 9.30am Rose Garden Community Centre, Belmont, North Shore
“We only have a very small window left where we might be able to turn things around,” says Linda. “Experts worldwide think, at best, we might only have 10 or 15 years left. We can’t wait for governments or God to fix the problem.”
In the worst-case scenario of the future, Linda believes New Zealand could be facing issues such as:
- An influx of refugees driven from their homes by wars over oil & water
- A more authoritarian & controlling government to keep security
- Oil availability declining after 2009 which dramatically impacts lives
- More flooding, mudslides, tornadoes and violent weather patterns
- Water and energy shortages in this country
- Australians flocking to this country & expat Kiwis returning home
- Increased food prices in New Zealand and overseas causing instability
For workshop information and bookings contact Linda on 09 419 9934
Would you like to interview Linda? Need more information or a photo? Please contact Kimberley Paterson at Soul PR on 09 424 4218 or kimberley@soulpr.com
