Erica Dellwo

EcoChallenge Community Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
399 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

50

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

donation

made

Erica's actions

Electricity Generation

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Become A Master Recyler/Composter

#55 Household Recycling

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries

#48 In-Stream Hydro, #76 Micro Wind, #78 Microgrids

I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 5 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Geothermal 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?
Erica Dellwo 4/08/2018 12:05 PM
Our home is already equipped with a high-efficiency heating system. I will research whether or not geothermal heating/cooling/water heating is worth the investment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?
Erica Dellwo 4/08/2018 10:11 AM
How can I reduce electricity usage each day? I already turn off lights when leaving a room, have converted all bulbs to CFLs or LEDs, started hanging laundry instead of using the dryer, etcetera. Two things I can do to step up my game is (1) be more efficient with opening and closing the refrigerator door, and (2) set power strips on a timer to be off while I'm sleeping. I could earn extra credit by (gulp) turning off the space heater while I'm showering. That will be a hard one to master.

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Erica Dellwo 4/08/2018 10:02 AM
Our household is signed up with Avista's Community Solar program. Here's a link to Avista's info about solar energy for your home: https://www.myavista.com/about-us/energy-innovations/solar-power. If solar is not an option for you, here's a link to how you can purchase renewable energy offsets: https://www.myavista.com/your-account/buck-a-block

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?
Erica Dellwo 4/07/2018 7:55 PM
Stormwater runoff carries pollutants from cars, trash, and excess fertilizers/chemicals applied to home gardens and agricultural lands. I try to do my part by: directing rainwater to barrels for use in the garden; directing overflow to soak into the ground; mulching with compost to increase water retention; using only organic methods in my home garden; and purchasing only organically grown food.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What could you do differently to waste less?
Erica Dellwo 4/07/2018 7:48 PM
I could reduce my waste by using washable handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues.

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