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Karen Downing's avatar

Karen Downing

Plastic Free July Planning Team

"Striving to make an impact and change."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 643 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    9.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    235
    minutes
    spent learning

Karen's actions

Land Use

Advocate for Forest Protection

#38 Forest Protection

I will contact 1 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 55 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries

#48 In-Stream Hydro, #76 Micro Wind, #78 Microgrids

I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

#5 Tropical Forests

I will replace or remove products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Buy Bamboo

#35 Bamboo

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Connect With A Nonprofit

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on womens' or girls' issues in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will support women-owned businesses when I shop this month.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Keep Track of Wasted Food

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the EcoChallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?


  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/23/2018 8:04 PM
    Everyday is a great day to recycle 

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/16/2018 6:38 PM
    Time goes by so fast, doing the challenge and forgetting to login !  Have a great evening! 

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/13/2018 9:01 PM
    Beautiful day to open the windows to cool dow. The house and hang out laundry. Saving the environment. 

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/11/2018 7:11 PM
    I am watching my food portions to reduce my waste. Made a trip today to the recycling center.

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/09/2018 8:04 PM
    Smaller portions and food labels 🙂  Recycling daily.  

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/08/2018 4:45 PM
    I am very concerned and have been conscious of my decision that will help reduce my carbon foot print.  Protecting the environment and advocating to save animals.  

    Visted a wetland today. In awe of its beauty. 

    • Emily Ndungu's avatar
      Emily Ndungu 4/08/2018 5:24 PM
      Thanks Karen for the post, I view protecting the environment and advocating for animals as speaking up for the "voiceless."

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/07/2018 5:22 PM
    Had a great day! Added to my effort to reduce my carbon footprint. Attend the Columbus Zoo Frog Watch training. Excited to be a citizen scientist. 

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/06/2018 6:19 PM
    I am not only eating better, but I am making a difference saving the environment!  Tomorrow is when I drop off my recycling. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Learn More about Biomass
    Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before this? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!

    Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/05/2018 6:21 PM
    I have not heard of biomass technology.  I am grateful for this challenge! Oh my goodness this is an outstanding concept! The video about Harney County, Oregon is a huge eye opener.  There are multiple options for biomass that is a win-win for everyone. 

  • Karen Downing's avatar
    Karen Downing 4/05/2018 3:19 AM
    Good Day everyone! Time to start the day positive and focus on our challenges!  Wishing for warmer weather in Ohio- sunshine ☀️ is much needed 😊

    • Krystina Jarvis's avatar
      Krystina Jarvis 4/06/2018 2:00 PM
      Thank you for your positive energy Karen!  I love seeing all of your updates.