Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Lauren Jaques

Ethical Journal

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,082 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

34

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

150

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

22

zero-waste meals

consumed

Lauren's actions

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Become A Master Recyler/Composter

#55 Household Recycling

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Plan to Insulate

#31 Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

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

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Go Paperless

#70 Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and subscriptions.

COMPLETED
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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

#30 Methane Digesters (large), #64 Methane Digesters (small)

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

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

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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?

Lauren Jaques 4/23/2018 4:37 PM

Before the challenge, I was already doing my part as a zero waste advocate, but having to commit to 2 zero-waste meal preps per day has made me accountable, and I love it! I now enjoy my zero waste, bought in bulk Sultana Bran alternative, and smoothies as much as I can with winter coming! And will be attempting homemade tortillas soon, so we can continue to enjoy homemade wraps, pizzas, and nachos!

Read More
Lauren Jaques 4/22/2018 5:12 PM

Two days left and I am so excited to continue on with what I've learnt, but I am also going to miss doing the challenge!! I think I will continue on with the theme, and attempt the Minimalist Challenge next month...

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Explore Other Transport Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Lauren Jaques 4/22/2018 5:10 PM

I am so impressed with Project Drawdown's work, there is a solution to everything! The eco-friendly path can be a burdening, and downright upsetting path to journey down, but Drawdown consistently lifts my spirits and reminds me that I'm not alone! The most important thing to remember when trying to reduce emissions through the means of transport, or finding more environmentally friendly alternatives is that if you can go without, there's no better option. If you drive to the supermarket, or school, or the gym, yes you could spend your time and money researching and evaluating whether an electric car, or a bike, or public transport would be a better option, but if you are fortunate enough that you can walk to and from, then go for it! Enjoy that Vitamin D and fresh air! There are ways to reduce emissions everywhere you turn, as long as you've taken that step, and are making changes, you're on your way!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Become A Master Recyler/Composter

What could you do differently to waste less?

Lauren Jaques 4/22/2018 4:58 PM

As of May 1st, my local council is taking on food waste in our green/garden waste bins for composting within the community. This will significantly lower the waste we produce, and I am hoping to speak to our landlord soon about reducing the size of our bin, because we just don't fill it! Which is wonderful!
I also made a conscious effort to change my work days so my day off lines up with opening hours of a local bulk food shop! Fingers crossed this helps with one-the-spot meal planning, and we can avoid the waste involved with having a busy life!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Lauren Jaques 4/22/2018 4:48 PM

I live in a share house, so the choices made with our bills are not solely mine to make. But I made sure we are signed up to 100% carbon neutral energy, as this is a free add-on to your account with Energy Australia!!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Lauren Jaques 4/19/2018 4:22 PM

I had not heard of the term "silvopasture" before, but it is an incredibly innovative and efficient way of farming. Silvopasture is an ancient practice of raising livestock in forest-like fields; which can counteract the methane production up to ten times more effectively than normal, treeless pasture. Not to mention, there is no question there would be more quality of life for the animals raised in silvopasture systems!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Now that you know the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates, how will you view expiration dates differently?

Lauren Jaques 4/16/2018 4:51 PM

I would just like to note completing this action has put me to 100 minutes spent learning amazing new things. (yay!)

Although I hope from here on I won't be buying too many processed ingredients/meals that HAVE best before dates on them; now that I know the difference between use by, sell by, and best before dates I will think twice before wasting food that could otherwise be consumed. I feel like I say this a lot but EDUCATION IS KEY! I never would have known this without the challenge, and I will be letting all my family and friends know when it next comes up!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

What do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than other countries, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?

Lauren Jaques 4/16/2018 4:34 PM

Honestly I think the only things that seriously contribute to North America's overcompensation of meat are lack of education of the effects it has on not only yourself, but the environment, and habit. We are creatures of habit are we not! Has change not been shunned by the crowds for eternity?!

A quote from A Plastic Ocean is very fitting here; "From knowing comes caring, from caring comes change.""

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Plan to Insulate

How can you make your home more energy efficient?

Lauren Jaques 4/15/2018 3:36 AM

So tonight I found out that my apartment was built in 1970... It's an old building, and it definitely gets cold in winter, but not warm in summer as we have amazing tree coverage over half of our apartment. Being a household of 4 20-somethings, we appreciate savings wherever we can get them, and heating is one of them! We have jumpers and blankets for days! But when that is not enough, and I will proudly say that is all of 5-10 days a year, the heater goes on. Retrofitting, and refining the insulation in this building could save hundreds on combined energy bills, not to say how much it could save in carbon emissions!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Research Retrofitting Incentives

How can you share what you have learned in your research with others?

Lauren Jaques 4/15/2018 3:28 AM

So it turns out, the City of Melbourne offers a whole range of incentives, and are committed to incentivising sustainable alternatives in construction and retrofitting especially. They offer EUA's (Environmental Upgrade Agreements), which provides a very low risk finance, unlike many bank loans, for you to retrofit your existing building/home in a eco-friendly way. Essentially it is allowing an extra helping hand for builders and owners to carryout retrofit works that reduce energy use, save water, and lower carbon emissions! They seem very passionate about this, and are committing to a "sustainable Melbourne", which is so refreshing to hear/read!

Read More