Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

John Mecum

Miller Dunwiddie

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
672 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

270

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

16

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

48

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

162

gallons of water

have been saved

John's actions

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

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Local Food Systems

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will source 1 meal(s) from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Tour a Green Roof

#73 Green Roofs

I will set up a visit to tour a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

John Mecum 4/25/2018 7:39 AM
I am not just being a vegan for my health, but also for the planet. Please see attached article on livestock farming's contribution to air pollution.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/surprising-way-fumes-farms-are-harming-our-health?source=w20005en&tp=i-H43-BC-8HX-PRxQc-1o-6c6-1c-PRxPc-1Z6RmD&sourcekey=w20005en&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor-eletter&utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=gba_eletter&cid=31839&mid=376071702

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John Mecum 4/25/2018 7:38 AM
Coming down to the end, keep up the challenge.

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John Mecum 4/18/2018 9:05 AM
Here is an alternative to standard concrete, with 1/2 the carbon footprint.
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/researchers-claim-develop-concrete-alternative?source=w20005en&tp=i-H43-BC-8DI-PB1Ac-1o-6c6-1c-PB19c-1m8Q6g&sourcekey=w20005en&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor-eletter&utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=gba_eletter&cid=31576&mid=372034510

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John Mecum 4/12/2018 8:45 AM
An interesting article about Green Cities and Social Justice / Equity
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/what-makes-city-green?source=w20005en&tp=i-H43-BC-83E-Oq1ip-1o-6c6-1c-Oq1hp-jzioG&sourcekey=w20005en&utm_campaign=green-building-advisor-eletter&utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=gba_eletter&cid=30952&mid=367031743

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John Mecum 4/11/2018 7:36 AM
Latest finding on the benefits of white roofs on global warming:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/urban-heat-can-white-roofs-help-cool-the-worlds-warming-cities

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John Mecum 4/08/2018 3:00 PM
Hi Team Miller Dunwiddie! Great Job, we are closing in on team MSR, but have slipped in overall standings. Remember you get points by logging-in and it is a great time to check out new challenges. Keep posting and let the team know how you are doing.

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John Mecum 4/06/2018 7:50 PM
If you are interested in trying to prepare Vegan meals, here is a great link on how to start. https://www.forksoverknives.com/

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- Mike Refsland 4/07/2018 7:04 AM
  Excellent website, thanks for the resource John! We are already planning for some blue corn waffles and polenta-black bean medallions, they sound amazing.
  
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