Elise Mary
"Just trying to make things a little cleaner and a little greener."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,492 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO15conversationswith people
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO78gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO20locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO30meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO390minutesspent learning
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UP TO436pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO7.0zero-waste mealsconsumed
Elise's actions
Food
composting
#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
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.
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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.
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.
Food
Support Local Food Systems
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will source 5 meal(s) from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Women and Girls
Host a Film Screening
#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders
I will host a film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.
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.
Materials
Install a Toilet Bank
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day by installing a toilet tank bank.
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.
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.
Women and Girls
Start a Social Media Campaign
#6 Educating Girls
I will share stats on gender inequity in education with my social media feed to raise awareness.
Materials
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Materials
Properly Dispose of Refrigerants
#1 Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
Food
Learn More about Silvopasture
#9 Silvopasture
I will spend at least 60 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Transport
Purchase a Carbon Offset
#43 Airplanes
If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.
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.
Materials
Choose Recycled Paper
#70 Recycled Paper
If I have to buy paper products, I will only purchase products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Transport
Advocate For Greener Vehicles
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Food
Zero-waste Cooking
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.
Materials
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
#47 Bioplastic
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 5 friends, family and/or colleagues.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 5 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
Electricity Generation
Rooftop Solar Consultation
#10 Rooftop Solar
After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.
Land Use
Choose Better Wood Products
#38 Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
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.
Materials
Become A Master Recyler/Composter
#55 Household Recycling
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Electricity Generation
Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions
All Electricity Generation Solutions
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.
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?
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Elise Mary 4/23/2018 6:43 AMI did not throw away any food at breakfast today. Woohoo! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood compostingProducing uneaten food squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these motivates you the most to change your behavior regarding food waste?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:58 PMMy mom will be buying the big bin this summer when we have more time to assemble it. I hope Bethel can get a bin as well. The squandering of water is what concerns me most and motivates me the most to change my behavior. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Purchase a Carbon OffsetA round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles emits just over 1 ton of CO2. Imagine a giant balloon with a diameter of 10 yards. If this balloon were filled with CO2, it would weigh about 1 ton. This flight would fill just about one of these balloons. What can you do to reduce the number of flights you take per year?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:54 PMI do not fly that much, but I did buy the carbon offset of my flight to Haiti. I probably go on one flight every year, maybe two flights a year. I will continue this offset practice. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Share Bioplastic Disposal TipsWhat concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:53 PMI am most concerned about how the US is the greatest contributor to CO2 emissions. I am concerned about CO2 emissions and the atmosphere the most, besides water usage. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Advocate For Greener VehiclesHow does advocating for green vehicles in your community connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to fuel-efficient vehicles?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:52 PMGoing to talk to rep about the car thing ASAP. I can get others involved through CR. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Install a Low-Flow ShowerheadWhat would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:51 PMA sustainable water future would look like less pollutant runoff into our lakes. Organic farming needs to flourish, and we need to get rid of the American front lawn. Ridiculous. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Install a Toilet BankHow can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:49 PMWe can have our external water filters backed up and ready. We can get a solar water heater and a rainwater collection system. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Become A Master Recyler/ComposterWhat could you do differently to waste less?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:48 PMI can reuse items instead of even having to recycle. I can come up with ways to make my lifestyle more waste free. I can bring my own takeout containers to restaurants. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy CreditsYour 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?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:46 PMI can unplug my everyday devices when not in use. I can install dimmers on LED lights. I can install solar heating devices. I can ask my university to install the washing machine device I use at home. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Solar Water ConsultationDiversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?
Elise Mary 4/22/2018 9:44 PMA solar water heater would save money and it would reduce our home carbon footprint.