I want to foster a mindset of care and good stewardship of the resources I have access to! So, that includes energy and issues.
Johanna Andrews
"I want to continue to challenge myself in being aware of ways to care for our planet. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,537 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO1.0donationmade
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UP TO243gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO285minutesspent learning
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UP TO3.0public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO42zero-waste mealsconsumed
Johanna's actions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Women and Girls
Support Women-Owned Businesses
#62 Women Smallholders
I will support women-owned businesses when I shop this month.
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.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Micro Wind
#76 Micro Wind
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
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.
Transport
Improve a Bus Stop
#37 Mass Transit
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.
Transport
Explore Other Transport Solutions
All Transport Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.
Electricity Generation
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
#18 Geothermal
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Buildings and Cities
Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions
All Buildings and Cities Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.
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.
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.
Materials
Fix Leaky Faucets
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.
Women and Girls
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
#7 Family Planning
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
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.
Food
Zero-waste Cooking
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.
Materials
Go Paperless
#70 Recycled Paper
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and subscriptions.
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.
Buildings and Cities
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
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.
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.
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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).
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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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Communicate With My Elected OfficialsWhat inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:41 PMWhat inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
I want to foster a mindset of care and good stewardship of the resources I have access to! So, that includes energy and issues. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Choose Better Wood ProductsBeyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:39 PMBeyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?
I think they offer so many things. There's opportunity to learn about the ecosystems around you as well as give you information as to how the land is doing. When trees are dying and diseased something is off. It's an indicator of something environmentally unstable. Forests have so much plant variety as well as animal, its a haven for all species. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:36 PMHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Your experience does differ depending on your choice of transportation. Some options force you to interact with your community (riding transit, biking and walking sometimes) where others you can isolate yourself from community (driving alone). Seeking community (with the right mindset) is a place of growth and abundance in your development of empathy! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Support Nutrient ManagementHow does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:30 PMHow does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
The quality of the environment has an impact on your sense of community. When thinking about this question, I think it is vital to know the contexts that you are coming from. Myself, I am white and grew up in the suburbs. So, my sense of community is little at most, this also impacts my response. I think it is easy to think about communities where there is a very negative environmental quality and look down on them, BUT we do not know the systems or ideas that perpetuate that environmental quality. What systems are in place that you aren't thinking of? -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Learn More about BiomassHad you ever heard of biomass techonology before this? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:21 PMHad you ever heard of biomass technology before this? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
I had not heard of biomass technology before this! One main thing that I really liked about reading on this is the goal: to reduce business' carbon footprint while generating heat and energy. I know there's more research in my future!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Learn More About Geothermal EnergyGeothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. What kind of investment seems most feasible for you?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:16 PMGeothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. What kind of investment seems most feasible for you?
I think geothermal is great option. The only issue is that I have is how can we support it in a "mainstream" way? Its a great option and has had some traction in more mainstream spaces on alternative energy sources, but when we look at it--how can we get more people on board? All of these ideas and questions (if answered) would boost support, and added support equals more public investment! I think it's important to think about investment as an opportunity for furthering education too. -
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:08 PM -
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:06 PMWhat is one thing you could add to your daily life that would make a positive environmental impact? -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings and Cities Explore Other Buildings and Cities SolutionsWhat did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 7:05 PMWhat did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
When I read the article, I really liked the idea of Green roofs. The article define green roofs as such: "GREEN ROOFS (cool roofs and green roofs) – cool roofs reflect solar radiation and reduce air temperature, which leads to reduction in cooling loads. Green roofs have a similar effect as well as reducing heating loads in regions of high heat demand. Collectively, green roofs mitigate carbon emissions by reducing fossil fuel use in heating and cooling." (The green letters should link to an article that goes more in depth on what the roof is). Basically, you are putting plants on roofs of buildings. This is super easy and makes a huge impact. I think this was most interesting because of how feasible it seems. Many buildings have flat tar covered roofs. BUT we could put plants up there and help with carbon emissions. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Go PaperlessWhat do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?
Johanna Andrews 4/25/2018 6:58 PMWhat do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?
Some things that are important for me to prioritize over material goods....Examples: time with friends and family, to explore the parts of the earth I have the privilege to see, and advocate for those around me. All three have material stuff that you can tie to them, but at their foundation they are less material and rather experiential. These things are very important to who I am, and so these three things are what I want to prioritize over material stuff.