Rachel Bartelson

I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

I will commute by carpool 32 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 14.76 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

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.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

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

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.

I will spend at least 90 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will contact 5 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

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

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

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

I will buy from organic and local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

I will replace 16 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles.

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

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

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.

I will replace or remove products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.