Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Darcy Hasberry

Built Ecology & Friends

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,176 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

person

helped
UP TO

21

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

4.0

donations

made

Darcy's 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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Donate

#21 Clean Cookstoves

I will donate to Cool Effect's cookstove projects or another nonprofit that installs clean cookstoves in low-income countries.

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

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

Materials

Choose Recycled Paper

#70 Recycled Paper

If I have to buy paper products, I will only purchase products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Fund Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

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

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.

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

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

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

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Solar Water Consultation

#41 Solar Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

#8 Solar Farms

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Calculate Your Carbon Impact

SDG 13

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Calculate Your Water Footprint

SDG 6

I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste.

UNCOMPLETED
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?

Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 5:29 PM
Paper Towels made from 100% Recycled Paper. Feeling pretty green.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?
Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 5:21 PM
The prospect of spending $0 on gas really makes fully electric cars an exciting option. The US gov has so many resources for assessing electric car options. Click on links for what I found helpful.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/find-electric-vehicle-models
https://www.afdc.energy.gov/calc/

Also, I like this USA Today article from Jan 2018 and this FleetCarma article. It seems range won’t be a problem for my commute. There is still much research to be done before purchasing but it seems the future is bright!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?
Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 4:53 PM
Most everything is more valueable than material stuff. I planted some herbs and vegetables and they are sprouting now. It’s the little things and family, friends, etc. bringing more lasting value to my life.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Diversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?
Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 4:28 PM
The prospect of reducing power usage really peaked my interest in solar water heaters. Also, when I finished the green audit for my home, it was clear some green improvements were possible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Every dollar you put into solar or wind is a dollar not put into traditional financial institutions. You'll also be bolstering the fossil fuel divestment movement, too. What are some companies you know of that invest in green energy, and how can you support them?
Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 4:15 PM
Apple and Mars. I recently purchased an Apple Watch and I buy fun snickers at lunch.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls

Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. How can you better support communities by supporting women?
Darcy Hasberry 4/25/2018 12:28 PM
How can you better support communities by supporting women? I can make the effort to locate locally women owned businesses and support them. It turns out the cafe in our building is owned by a women. I go there regularly. It has the best soups!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls

When family planning focuses on healthcare provision and meeting the expressed needs of women, it results in empowerment, equality, and well-being, and the benefits to the planet are side effects. Why is family planning an important civil rights consideration?
Darcy Hasberry 4/24/2018 1:14 PM
When family planning focuses on healthcare provision and meeting the expressed needs of women, it results in empowerment, equality, and well-being, and the benefits to the planet are side effects. Why is family planning an important civil rights consideration?

It is giving humans no matter than circumstances the right to choose when and if they want to procreate. When women or couples don't have the choice, their health and their families are limited as well as the opportunities they can pursue.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

Why do you care about taking action on climate change?
Darcy Hasberry 4/24/2018 12:36 PM
Why do you care about taking action on climate change?

To give the next generation and all those that follow the best opportunity to enjoy this Earth.

"We reaffirm that supporting development is not charity, but is instead one of the smartest investments we can make in our own future." - Former President Obama on Sustainable Development Goals at General Assembly Hall at UN in NY, NY.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

What are your next steps for saving energy?
Darcy Hasberry 4/24/2018 11:55 AM
What are your next steps for saving energy?

I need to invest in appliance upgrades. From the audit, the payback on this investment could be less than 3 years. (Audit quoted savings over 3 years.)

Read More
Darcy Hasberry 4/24/2018 6:21 AM
There are two EPA certified Refrigerant Reclaimers in GA. One in Norcross and one in Alpharetta. Both can come to you or you can deliver your used refrigerant. GA your readily available sustainability practices surprised me again!

Read More