Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Heather Ward

LACAC (Los Alamos Cares About Climate)

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,476 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

6.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

54

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

135

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

3.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Heather'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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Local Perennial Biomass

#51 Perennial Biomass

I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

#47 Bioplastic

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 0
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

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities 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?

Heather Ward 4/25/2018 7:01 PM

I can't believe it's the last day of the challenge! I learned a lot about drawdown solutions, and I hope to put as many as possible into action.

Read More
Heather Ward 4/24/2018 2:22 PM

Watching Planet Earth II. Amazing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Advocate for Forest Protection

Higher standards of living are very often dependent on moving our environmental costs elsewhere. What are some specific ways in which the environmental impacts of your own lifestyle might be shifted elsewhere?

Heather Ward 4/22/2018 7:38 PM

I know that part of my town's energy comes from coal plants, but they are so far away we don't see their smoke, or even know they're there. Being fairly remote, there is a lot of transportation cost just getting our stores stocked. We also truck out garbage to a landfill two hours away. We truly don't get to see firsthand the effects of our lifestyles.

Read More
Heather Ward 4/22/2018 7:31 PM

Happy Earth Day!

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?

Heather Ward 4/20/2018 7:53 PM

Meat tends to be more common in affluent areas. In the US, often celebrations are held at a nice steakhouse rather than a vegetarian place. I would even go so far as to say that the behaviour is akin to running credit card debt or being overweight, in that we often buy or eat more than we should. Then, of course, is the misconception that we can only get enough protein in our diets if we eat animals or animal products. I would bet the vast majority of Americans believe that. I wish I could say that education is the key, that if we just teach people that red meat is bad for you and cows are killing the environment, that they'll all come around. But it's a habit that's not willingly broken. So perhaps the key is to teach the kids. Serve vegetarian lunches in schools, at least twice a week. Teach them to grow their own vegetables with class or school gardens. I don't know, maybe put a vegan chef on the Food Network?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Explore Other Transport Solutions

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

Heather Ward 4/19/2018 8:58 AM

We've all known for a long time that carpooling and taking public transportation are better for the environment than driving our own cars all over the place. Transport is such a huge sector not just because of the inefficiency of the combustion engine, but also the sheer number of vehicles out there. I am still amazed at the impact of planes and container ships - and glad that they are looking to alleviate their carbon footprints.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Heather Ward 4/19/2018 8:41 AM

Q: How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Generally, I don't. I let it sit and hold a heavy constant presence on my heart. I'm not being sarcastic, just brutally honest. I do what I can and it never seems enough. However, the things I can do help me feel a little better. I joined the county Environmental Sustainability Board, so I can make a difference locally. I volunteer at a local wildlife hospital caring for non-releasable animals. I am actively participating in Earth Day events. And I teach my kids a respect for nature.

Read More
Heather Ward 4/18/2018 2:29 PM

We're ranked 45th out of all teams! Let's push this last week!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Heather Ward 4/18/2018 1:50 PM

If I had to build a community from scratch:
At the center, I would put most of the commercial and educational buildings, with networks of paths connecting them for ease of walkability. There would be an electric public bus going around the outside (for some reason, I envision a monorail ... but not necessary). Inside, there would also be community bicycles. Beyond the bus route, there would be residences, with additional electric public bus routes. All buildings would be required to have solar panel roofs, LED lighting, efficient insulation, and bird-deterring windows. Community and private gardens are encouraged, and plenty of trees dot the commercial areas. Invasive plants are forbidden, and native plants encouraged. Lawns are restricted. There is a reuse center, where any resident can drop off unwanted items, find something to take home, or get help in repairing things. There is also a community compost, so people who don't have their own can recycle their food and yard waste. Single-stream curbside recycling pickup is available for every building, private, commercial, or governmental. Trash must be taken to a center and paid for, where it is further separated into missed recyclables and true waste. Waste is then transferred to a landfill, which uses methane capture methods to produce fuel. Retailers are penalized for selling or offering single-use plastics, like straws and bags, and must take them back after use if they do. Grocery stores will have plenty of bulk bins and unpackaged produce and breads. All plastic and styrofoam packaging must be taken back and returned to the manufacturers. Produce stickers are biodegradable, or returned to the seller. Homes are powered with rooftop solar and energy from a wind farm outside of town. Water use is carefully monitored and not wasted (such as not watering lawns in the afternoon). There will be plenty of parks and playgrounds and hiking trails. There will be no gas stations, but only electric charging stations. And everyone gets free high-speed internet, just because this is an ideal situation.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Rooftop Solar Consultation

Identify some ways in which modern human societies have become unsustainable. What kind of roles do individuals have in creating and changing practices in society?

Heather Ward 4/18/2018 12:08 PM

I'm not sure I have the time to write all my thoughts on unsustainability. Let's see, dependence on cars (individual transportation), fast fashion, planned obsolescence, cultural expectations, keeping up with the Jones's, in-your-face advertising, easy-to-get credit, industrial-scale farming, dependence on coal and unwillingness to change with the times toward green energy, science-denial, withdrawal from communities and sharing, single-use items and a throwaway culture, and on and on. In light of the current political administration, indeed individuals are the only ones who can affect change, by contacting those who make the laws, or becoming one.

Read More