Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Charles White

PAE - Seattle

"My mission is to live a sustainable, ethical life and to help restore the environment where I can."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,402 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

8.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

51

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

15

miles

traveled by bike
UP TO

126

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

15

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

12

zero-waste meals

consumed

Charles's actions

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Muscle Power

#49 Cars

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail

#66 High-Speed Rail

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

COMPLETED
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

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 5 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Local Food Systems

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will source 1 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.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

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

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

Transport

Conduct Virtual Meetings

#63 Telepresence

I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Express My Support

#59 Bike Infrastructure

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Buildings and Cities

Go by Bike

#59 Bike Infrastructure

I will commute by bike 5.0 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 4.89 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 3
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 8
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 4
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

Transport

Test Drive an Electric Bike

#69 Electric Bikes

I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. In what ways can you support your closest regenerative agriculture farm?

Charles White 4/25/2018 9:37 AM

Q: Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. In what ways can you support your closest regenerative agriculture farm?

A: When I buy food through a middle man like a grocery or convenience store I am unaware of who supplied the food or what farming practices they use. That being said, I think one of the best ways I can support my closest regenerative farm is to, as Justin put it, "shake hands with the farmer who grew your food."

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail

What are the factors that influence your choice of transportation? These can include things like money, time, and convenience, as well as perceptions of danger or safety.

Charles White 4/25/2018 9:25 AM

Q: What are the factors that influence your choice of transportation? These can include things like money, time, and convenience, as well as perceptions of danger or safety.

A: Time, sustainability, and money. When I am getting around the city I can be more flexible with my time which allows me to choose more sustainable options (taking the bus or riding my bike.) When I have to travel long distances time takes priority which often means having to choose the less-sustainable option. I would love a high speed rail system (or hyper loop!) along the west coast, and would even pay more for the more sustainable option!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Go by Bike

How does using human-powered transportation make you feel?

Charles White 4/23/2018 9:09 AM

Q: How does using human-powered transportation make you feel?

A: Using my muscles to get to get to work is a great way to start the day! I have to bike uphill to get to work and as a result I get a great workout, start the day accomplishing something (getting up the hill) which helps set a positive frame of mind for the day, and I end up actually being awake when I get to work and aren't as desperate for that first cup of (forest friendly) coffee.

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?

Charles White 4/20/2018 10:15 AM

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

A: My vision of a sustainability is equitable, fair, just, fulfilling, friendly, lively, and harmonious. I think a lot needs to change to bring this vision to reality - but I think it all comes down to living a more intentional, informed, and engaged life. For example, being intentional about our purchases and only buying things that we need or truly bring us joy, being informed on the impacts of our purchases like deforestation, slave labor, plastic waste, etc. , and engaging with our neighbors to share what we know and to create a community that cares for each other.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Explore Other Food Solutions

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

Charles White 4/19/2018 4:00 PM

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

A: Dan shared that crickets, or other bug protein, is magnitudes less water intensive than growing animal protein (2000gal/lb for beef, 1gal/lb for crickets, woah). Justin also shared a number of different cool movements in agriculture that are restorative, more resilient and self sustaining, and productive than the monocultures that are contributing so greatly to topsoil depletion.

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?

Charles White 4/19/2018 3:57 PM

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

A: I had heard of silvopasture, but didn't really know more than the basics. I think one of the biggest advantages of silvopasture, aside from its role in drawing down carbon, is restoring the environment and promoting biodiversity and productive landscapes!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Express My Support

What do you like most about biking in your city? What would you like to improve?

Charles White 4/19/2018 3:54 PM

Q: What do you like most about biking in your city? What would you like to improve?

A: I love getting to experience Seattle on a bike - especially in fair weather. It's so much easier to actually experience your surroundings - the buildings, the people, the trees and green space - when you're on a bike. When you're in a car, you're sealed off from everything! I would love to see a more robust bike network made up of dedicated bike lanes, and I think e-bikes could revolutionize biking in this hilly city.

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?

Charles White 4/19/2018 9:02 AM

Q: 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?

A: I think one thing that contributes to North American's meat consumption is our disconnection from our food source. A typical American is not aware of the effort required to raise an animal, are not exposed to the typically inhumane conditions the animals are kept in, and are certainly not familiar with the intense and emotional experience that is killing an animal. To Americans, meat is just something that is packaged for our convenience at the grocery store.

This level of disconnection is not just in American's food systems, it's everywhere. We are not typically aware of the deforestation or other environmental devastation that occurs as a result of extraction or production of the products we use. Similarly, we are entirely disconnected from our waste streams. We throw things "away," but do not know where it goes away to.

To me this says that Americans value convenience here and now at the expense of people, animals, and the environment around the world. But, I think that most Americans do not know that they do not know, and in order to change the behavior we need to continue to inform people of the true cost of their choices.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Learn about Temperate Forests

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

Charles White 4/16/2018 3:20 PM

Q: As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

A: I used to think I wanted many children and growing up I always thought I'd have a life similar to my parents, specifically in terms of material possessions. As I have learned more and more about the environmental challenges we face I have realized that I don't need many things to be happy - I really value community, experiences, and friendship.

I often feel overwhelmed by the scope of the issues we face. The pending ecological collapse is about 200 years in the making. Many of the systems that my generation has been born into are based on assumptions of limitless extraction, consumption, and growth that we now know were never possible on a finite planet. Additionally, any questioning of the system often gets you labeled as a heretic or communist. There is a huge amount of inertia in the systems that are trashing the planet, and we've only just begun to apply the brakes.

I think the most hopeful thing for me is knowing that we have the tools and knowledge today to solve our problems - we just need to get people informed and educated!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Test Drive an Electric Bike

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Private vehicles account for 60% of trips of a mile or less. Do you feel that these facts apply to you? If so, how might you incorporate an electric bike into your lifestyle?

Charles White 4/09/2018 2:54 PM

Q: Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Private vehicles account for 60% of trips of a mile or less. Do you feel that these facts apply to you? If so, how might you incorporate an electric bike into your lifestyle?

A: At this time I do take many short trips, but I do not use a private vehicle for such trips. I take the bus to work and live in the city so I am able to avoid short car trips by doing grocery shopping and errands on my way to or from work. I only use my car for trips out of town. I do have a bike that I use to ride around town, but an electric bike could certainly make more of the city accessible by increasing my range and by helping with hills!

Read More