Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Johanna Schweiss

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,436 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

165

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

22

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

200

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

3.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Johanna's actions

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 3 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

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

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Connect With A Nonprofit

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on womens' or girls' issues in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Toilet Bank

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day by installing a toilet tank bank.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Rooftop Solar Consultation

#10 Rooftop Solar

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Nutrient Management

#65 Nutrient Management

I will buy from organic and local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 20
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 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 3 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Buildings and Cities

Upgrade My Windows

#31 Insulation

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 22
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?

Johanna Schweiss 4/25/2018 8:11 AM

What a great experience! I'm wrapping up the EcoChallenge with a few things I didn't accomplish - like caulking my windows, fixing one last leaky faucet, and swapping out some hard-to-reach lightbulbs. I'm excited to keep this momentum going!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

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?

Johanna Schweiss 4/17/2018 11:19 AM

Exhaust emissions and improved public health are definitely high on the list as reasons that would lead me to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle. But the reduced maintenance needs of electric vehicles and lower operating costs also are important factors for me when considering my next vehicle!

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/16/2018 12:51 PM

A little over a week left of the Drawdown EcoChallenge! Looking forward to checking off a few more of my actions in that time - still need to fix a leaking toilet and outdoor faucet. Those drips are adding up!

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/16/2018 12:51 PM

A little over a week left of the Drawdown EcoChallenge! Looking forward to checking off a few more of my actions in that time - still need to fix a leaking toilet and outdoor faucet. Those drips are adding up!

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/12/2018 7:20 AM

The Green Schools Event last night was wonderful! These students are making a positive difference in their community and their world - it inspires me to get to work in my personal life!

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/11/2018 7:48 AM

The USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter's Green Schools Event this evening will feature the accomplishments of the 57 schools that participated in the 2017-18 Green Schools Quest! These students and schools are implementing Drawdown solutions, and making a real difference in their schools and their communities. Join us to be inspired! The event is free to all, full details available online here: http://www.usgbc-mogateway.org/2017/12/11th-green-schools-event/

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/05/2018 1:04 PM

I posted earlier about needing more info about refrigerant recycling - I found this great resource for the St. Louis region and wanted to share: https://www.aspenrefrigerants.com/page/sell-us-your-used-refrigerants-today

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Johanna Schweiss 4/05/2018 10:38 AM

I did 30 minutes of research on Refrigerant disposal today, as I have a cannister that needs to be recycled at my house! Still a little bit fuzzy on the best option for disposal/recycling, so have asked for some expert input from Missouri Botanical Garden's EarthWays Center and will revisit this another day!

Read More
Johanna Schweiss 4/04/2018 11:45 AM

Happy first day of the Drawdown EcoChallenge!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Now that you know the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates, how will you view expiration dates differently?

Johanna Schweiss 4/04/2018 11:42 AM

It's so interesting that none of the dates displayed on food indicate that the food will be unsafe to eat after the date has passed! I will use my sense to determine when food has spoiled, rather than the dates on the package. I was also interested to learn that the color of meat is not a reliable indicator of spoilage!

Read More