

Mike Refsland
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,783 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO410minutesspent learning
-
UP TO6.0locally sourced mealsconsumed
-
UP TO10milestraveled by bus
-
UP TO4.0public officials or leaderscontacted
-
UP TO26meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO1.0documentarywatched
-
UP TO44pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO1.0donationmade
-
UP TO50milestraveled by bike
Mike's actions
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
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.
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.
Land Use
Learn about Local Indigenous Practices
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Food
Learn More about Silvopasture
#9 Silvopasture
I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
#29 Wave and Tidal
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.
Women and Girls
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
#7 Family Planning
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
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.
Land Use
Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.
Women and Girls
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
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.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
Land Use
Local Perennial Biomass
#51 Perennial Biomass
I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
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.
Women and Girls
Support Women-Owned Businesses
#62 Women Smallholders
I will support women-owned businesses when I shop this month.
Food
Explore Other Food Solutions
All Food Solutions
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.
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).
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
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.
Transport
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
#66 High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Transport
Use Public Transit
#37 Mass Transit
I will use public transit 10 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 2.53 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Materials
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
#47 Bioplastic
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.
Buildings and Cities
Go by Bike
#59 Bike Infrastructure
I will commute by bike 10 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 8.23 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
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.
Transport
Improve a Bus Stop
#37 Mass Transit
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.
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?
-
Mike Refsland 4/25/2018 10:02 AMPut some clothes out on the line to dry instead of using the gas dryer. No points for this, but a great activity to reduce your carbon footprint! Plus a little breeze makes the clothes smell awesome. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWomen and GirlsWhat are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
Mike Refsland 4/25/2018 9:59 AMMPR is currently airing an interview about the incredible number of women running for political position this year, from local neighborhood groups to US Senators and beyond! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseAs 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?
Mike Refsland 4/25/2018 9:57 AMIt does feel overwhelming from time to time, but people banding together (such as this challenge) can make a remarkable positive impact! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseIndigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?
Mike Refsland 4/25/2018 9:57 AMBalance is fundamental in sustainability, particularly between our built and natural environments. However "balance" does not mean things remain equal and balanced at all times. Just as in ecosystems, there will be disturbances that require resilience. In ecology, diversity builds resilience, which reduces the impact of disturbances. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportHow can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?
Mike Refsland 4/24/2018 5:20 AMI advocate for transportation with lower environmental impact by contacting my state legislators to support transit legislation. I also volunteer to help promote bike networks through my city and state. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseClimate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?
Mike Refsland 4/24/2018 5:16 AMMinnesota will be both a winner and loser with long term climate change. We are known for our diverse ecosystems, from the prairies of the southwest to the pine forests of the north. Much of this forest will retreat northward with climate change, as the state warms. We are also getting many more "Mega Rain" events than the historical average, causing catastrophic damage to southern Minnesota and the Duluth area in the last several years. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseWhat did you learn about indigenous peoples' land management that you can apply in your own life?
Mike Refsland 4/24/2018 5:13 AMI learned a great deal about Ojibwe hunting and fishing treaty rights in Wisconsin. The rights were granted with their treaty in 1837, but the Ojibwe people did not get full rights until the lat 1960s after a series of lawsuits. -
Mike Refsland 4/22/2018 5:40 PMPlanted our cold frame today and started early season veggies, can't get much more local than that! -
Mike Refsland 4/21/2018 1:11 PM60F and sunny= biking all over town today! Ran several errands by bike instead of the car and it was awesome. No stinky exhaust, bypass traffic in the bike lane, birds singing in the trees. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodWhat did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Mike Refsland 4/20/2018 6:37 AMI have started to drink a little less coffee every day (gasp!), since I was blind to the giant carbon footprint of our coffee. We drink locally roasted coffee from a company that pays higher than Fair Trade wages, but does not describe any environmental policy on their website. Therefore, i'm reaching out to the company today to see what they can do to improve, and to push for stronger environmental policy from the consumer side. Vote with your wallet.