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Jean Henderson's avatar

Jean Henderson

Jean's Eco Challenge

"The Mission of Jean's Eco Challenge Team is to Raise awareness regarding the affects of climate change and to Rise along with my teammates to become better stewards of our only Planet."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,115 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    28
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    150
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    407
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    4.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted
  • UP TO
    26
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Jean's actions

Buildings and Cities

Tour a Green Roof

#73 Green Roofs

I will set up a visit to tour a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Solar Water Consultation

#41 Solar Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

#8 Solar Farms

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Purchase a Carbon Offset

#43 Airplanes

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Advocate for Solar Installation

#10 Rooftop Solar

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Advocate for Forest Protection

#38 Forest Protection

I will contact 3 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Local Perennial Biomass

#51 Perennial Biomass

I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Contact your Elected Officials

#23 Farmland Restoration

I will contact 1 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Nutrient Management

#65 Nutrient Management

I will buy from organic and local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/25/2018 4:24 AM
    Today is our last day of the Eco-challenge.  I'll miss checking in daily but I'm so motivated to continue the important work that we are doing for our planet.  I'm gearing up for a campaign in Blue Ash, in hopes that my area can become a leader in sustainability. It may take a few years but I'm in it! What's next NWEI/Drawdown?

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/21/2018 6:22 PM
    What a great Earth Day. I had many conversations with like-minded citizens who are genuinely concerned about the planet but are actively working to save it.   My favorite conversation was with a young man who has recently started a community composting business called GOZERO. There are so many people doing good work. I Feel hopeful.

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/17/2018 4:17 PM
    Today I had the opportunity to visit a Green Roof on top the Macy's Building in Cincinnati.  The photo is just one portion of the entire roof. Of course it sleeted yesterday. Not much is green yet..it is after all only April in Ohio.  Hydrotech is the company that creates the Green Roof assembly that includes a fluid rubberized layer, an approved membrane made of post consumer recycled content and other layers for water management and filters.  Then Soil 3-6". Rose Seeger, the presenter who installed the plantings spoke about criteria of a 'Habitat Roof'.
    A habitat roof must have:  
    Native Plants or Adaptive plants
    Water Source
    Bee boxes for pollination
    Stumps and Pipes to act as protection for insects and small creatures.  Somehow a Squirrel lives up there now.
    Sustainable Practices - no chemical use.
    A roof top garden only saves 7-9% in energy costs, so I don't think that energy savings is a selling point.



  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/12/2018 5:05 AM
    BIOMASS-BIOCHAR:  Today, I read about  biomass being a bridge solution between the burning of crop/tree waste and the burning of fossil fuels. Biomass  energy generation  trades in carbon that is already in circulation, according to Drawdown. The process is: grow plants and sequester carbon...process and burn biomass...Emit carbon...Repeat.  The result if done correctly would be a neutral exchange. (This is why it is considered a bridge).  Yesterday I had the opportunity to see how 'biochar' is made.  The basic kiln, used 'biomass' from crops and invasive trees/bushes, burns them over a long period and produces black chunks of carbon. The chunks were porous and crystalline-like. When combined with compost, the mixture will be used as a soil amendment. I wish I had my phone on me to take a picture..it was pretty cool.

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/10/2018 9:30 AM
    Transportation : Buy a carbon offset. I booked a trip for 2 to New Orleans and back on Delta.  There is a partnership between Delta and The Nature Conservancy where you can purchase a carbon offset for a flight  I donated $15 for an offset of 1 metric ton. However for my trip, according to the carbon offset calculator, I really only needed to spend $5.30.

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/10/2018 9:16 AM
    ADVOCATE FOR FOREST PROTECTION: Today I spent some time researching old growth forests in the US and worldwide.  I reviewed current legislation in the US and decided to contact my MOC's about HR 2936 The Resilient Forest Act of 2017. The basic content of my letter came  from research on the Earth Justice website. My letter urged my MOC's Not to support  HR-2936. 

    Earthjustice is working to defeat a bill recently introduced in Congress called the “Resilient Forest Act of 2017” (H.R. 2936).  Far from a forest protection act, the proposed law is a gift to the timber industry.

    Under the guise of making our national forests “healthier,” H.R. 2936 would push timber production on federal lands and undermine citizens’ ability to enforce environmental laws.

    While this bill purports to address wildfires, the many destructive actions it promotes also include massive post-fire logging operations which destroy ecosystems and actually increase the risk of fire.
     The most important step Congress can take to assist healthy forest restoration is to support a more comprehensive, long-term wildfire funding fix.



  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/09/2018 5:05 AM
    Over the last month, I've had a Rooftop Solar Analysis done by Solarize Cincy and Icon Solar.  As it turns out, they have recently partnered. I have my quote and I am NOT sticker shocked.  I did this 10 years ago and the prices have dropped.  For my usage, I will need a 5kW System that would run about $13,000.  Minus the Federal Tax credit, the price drops to $9000.  This is in Southern Ohio, prices probably vary across the country. 

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/09/2018 4:51 AM
    FOREST FRIENDLY FOODS:  I spent some time reading about the 4 categories of foods to avoid when not grown sustainably:  Palm oil, Coffee, Cacao, and Meats/Dairy. That lead me to The Rainforest Alliance website that has loads of information on Rainforest Alliance certified products.  
    But, what I found valuable are the amazing resources for teaching KIDS about deforestation and saving the rainforest. 

    This summer, I'm volunteering at camps for kids and plan to introduce a presentation on The Rainforest.  Also another great resource is the website RainforestAction Network. 

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/09/2018 4:34 AM
    BUY CARBON OFFSETS  at AMAZON.  This is an interesting idea.  If you go to Amazon.com and search for Carbon Neutral or carry box, you'll find and opportunity to purchase carbon offsets to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also go to carbybox.com to learn more. 
    Below is a little outline about it:

    If you're already recycling, have switched your lightbulbs to LEDs, are driving a fuel-efficient car and cycling whenever possible, you're already helping the environment. 
    CARBY lets you achieve a bigger goal: becoming carbon neutral. 
    Carbon neutral is when the amount of carbon emissions we create is balanced out by an equal amount of carbon reductions. 
     
    Each month of offsets purchased through CARBY directly funds the removal of 1.5 tonnes (stands for metric tonnes, equal to 1.65 US tons) of carbon from the atmosphere.

    All the carbon offsets you get through CARBY are from projects created and managed by our partner, Wildlife Works. These projects prevent carbon emissions by protecting forests and their biodiversity, conserving wildlife and creating sustainable jobs. Wildlife Works is a global leader in REDD+ carbon offset projects, particularly in critical wildlife areas. 
    You can purchase for a month, 6 months or a year.  You'll receive tokens, one per month purchased, that can be planted and will grow wild flowers.

    It's a great gift for anyone. I'm buying 6 month offset for my MOM who is 97years old; she's a gentle environmentalist who doesn't spend much time worrying about the planet anymore 

  • Jean Henderson's avatar
    Jean Henderson 4/09/2018 4:14 AM
    ADVOCATE FOR FOREST PROTECTION:   I've spent may woman-hours writing to my MOC's this year, so this challenge is right up my alley.  While researching, one of my teammates posted an opportunity to to participate in reforestation with the Friends of the Little Miami State Park.  A group of us potted seedlings on Saturday to be planted on Sunday, April 8th.  It was cold, but our host supplied us with snacks and warm drinks. We had quite an assembly-line!  We potted at least 15 different species of trees. I learned a little bit about composting from the knowledgable volunteers.  It was a great day!