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Welcome to Drawdown EcoChallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Drawdown EcoChallenge expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown
Drawdown EcoChallenge
April 4 - April 25, 2018
Ben Cheplak's avatar

Ben Cheplak

Team Walter P Moore

"My mission is to learn how I can most effectively make positive impacts... and to beat Dirk Kestner in the challenge!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 493 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    55
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.0
    person
    helped
  • UP TO
    30
    miles
    traveled by bus
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    -3.1
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made

Ben's actions

Materials

Go Paperless

#70 Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and subscriptions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

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

Women and Girls

Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

#6 Educating Girls

I will donate one or more Femme Kits to help girls overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Transport

Use Public Transit

#37 Mass Transit

I will use public transit 30 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to -3.12 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport
    How has your access to various kinds of transporation throughout your life influenced your current attitudes about transportation and your transportation behavior?
    Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/19/2018 6:10 AM
    I've used trains, buses, and bikes extensively while living in several cities and love not having to deal with traffic.  So much less stress and better use of my time.
    I'd like to figure out how to get better commute options to Cobb County.
    Read More
  • Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/19/2018 5:58 AM

    WAY too nice outside in the ATL to do the daily car commute.  Perfect day to bus & bike to work.  
    Read More
  • Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/18/2018 4:57 PM
    Burned off (most of) a pecan waffle with a family walk to Waffle House instead of driving.   A pretty yummy way to be more sustainable!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use
    How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
    Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/12/2018 6:47 PM
    I feel fairly detached from knowing where my food comes from and the impact of my diet.  After some research, looks like I'm doing a decent job staying away from several foods associated with significant deforestation (cocoa, coffee, meat).  I need to research more about palm oil to understand this impact.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money?
    Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/09/2018 5:45 PM
    I'm hoping to do a much better job at using up the food in the fridge before it goes bad.  I downloaded the app InScadenza to help log produce & leftovers.  It's simple to use, has a decent interface, and uses up less than a Mb on my iPhone.  Score!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation
    Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
    Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/05/2018 7:02 PM
    I think Colony Square could really benefit from some awesome looking micro turbines on the roof... although they might be more effective located 20 stories higher, spread out along the top of 1180 Ptree fins.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls
    What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
    Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/05/2018 6:57 PM
    Women have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields.  To get past stereotypes, it is important to highlight women that are currently excelling in these occupations to encourage future generations. 
    Read More
  • Ben Cheplak's avatar
    Ben Cheplak 4/04/2018 6:57 PM
    I joined because Tom Yost inspires me to do better.  This site is really helpful at highlighting where we can each make a small difference.
    Read More