Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Emma Ragaller

Asheville High School!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
571 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

182

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

14

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person

Emma's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY 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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 12 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Advocate for Forest Protection

#38 Forest Protection

I will contact 2 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

COMPLETED
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
Emma Ragaller 4/25/2018 7:39 PM
I normally dont generate my concern about climate change unless it gets brought up by someone im around

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Emma Ragaller 4/25/2018 8:38 AM
In particular, the large trash patch in the pacific ocean concerns me about how we are effecting the planet. There is soo much trash and it is obviously hurting the animals in the ocean. There is a 20 year old who is trying to solve the problem and he said he first wanted to help it, when he went swimming and saw more plastic bags than fish.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?
Emma Ragaller 4/25/2018 8:25 AM
When I think about the things that are happening in our environment, it makes me want to stop and think about what I cant do for the environment before I make any sudden actions. For example, if I´m going somewhere close, I can walk or ride a bike instead of riding the bus or taking a car to the destination.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than other countries, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?
Emma Ragaller 4/25/2018 8:20 AM
Our culture is very commercialized and more focused on getting things as easy as they can without thinking how it would effect other in the environment. While other cultures are more focused on actually getting the benefits.

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?
Emma Ragaller 4/24/2018 4:58 PM
I think that my diet isnt impacting deforestation as much as others people. I dont drink coffee so compared to other people, instead of drinking 3 cups of coffee, those 18 coffee treeś are being conserved yearly. I do occasionally eat chocolate

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?
Emma Ragaller 4/24/2018 11:24 AM
If people didnt waste 1,500 dollars yearly, I would rather use that money to help support my family and people around me.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Now that you know the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates, how will you view expiration dates differently?
Emma Ragaller 4/23/2018 8:33 AM
I will view expiration dates differently now by looking for each one individualy and now I have a better understanding of what each one means and does.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Had you heard of the term silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Emma Ragaller 4/19/2018 3:24 PM
Before this challenge, I had never heard of the term silvopasture. After learning more about it, I think that the advantages are huge. I think the biggest advantage is the reduction of methane emissions because by doing this, our negative impact on the environment will be reduced.

Read More
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?
Emma Ragaller 4/18/2018 11:08 AM
I think that passive geothermal energy would be most feasible for me. Passive energy is good for heating individual houses and also I think that because passive geothermal energy is more accessible in Asheville.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before this? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
Emma Ragaller 4/16/2018 11:32 AM
I feel like I have heard of the term biomass technology before but I never knew the meaning. I was surprised me that it was only a true solution if it was made with true feedstock.

Read More