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Welcome to Drawdown EcoChallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Drawdown EcoChallenge expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown
Drawdown EcoChallenge
April 4 - April 25, 2018
Beth Unger's avatar

Beth Unger

Co-op Climate Action Network (CCAN) - Organic Valley

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 534 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    40
    miles
    traveled by carpool
  • UP TO
    6.4
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved

Beth'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

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

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 15
DAILY 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

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Try Carpooling

#75 Ridesharing

I will commute by carpool 20 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 3.22 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport
    Take a moment to think of places you frequent often (work, grocery store, natural areas). Could you choose one or two days a week to schedule driving with a friend, neighbor or co-worker to these places?
    Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/24/2018 8:50 PM
    Doing the weekly grocery shopping is so much more fun when doing it with a friend. Why take two cars when one will do.
    Read More
  • Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/24/2018 8:49 PM
    This has been a great experience. Thanks Sustainability group for organizing this!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls
    What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
    Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/23/2018 8:42 PM
    Women have experienced barriers in the workplace in several ways; wages for women tend to be lower than their male counterparts also, management is very male dominated. In the agricultural community couples who farm together the woman is marginalized and not recognized for the contribution made to the success of the farm. I know some women who are very good with farm equipment and field work. 
    Read More
  • Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/19/2018 4:04 PM
    Today I ate in a restaurant for the first time since this challenge started. And for the first time since it started I wasted food! I felt awful about it but the restaurant totally over-served food. I did comment to the server that the portion was too large. I don't think that had much of an effect though.
    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?
    Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/18/2018 8:15 AM
    We investigated geo-thermal heating for our home. It is very expensive to retro-fit an existing home but for new home construction this is an option that should be promoted heavily. The return on investment from the project in Iceland is amazing. 
    Read More
  • Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/18/2018 8:05 AM
    My challenge, reduce food waste, is going very well. Nothing except for a a few bones from a pork chop meal has gone to our town dump. Organic food is too expensive to waste.
    Read More
  • Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/16/2018 2:41 PM
    I challenged myself to reduce food waste. So far, so good. Any food scraps from vegetables (such as woody stems, peels, etc.) are all composted; meat scraps such as fat or gristle are dog treats. Meals are planned to facilitate less waste. All leftovers become subsequent meals. 
    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?
    Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/16/2018 2:38 PM
    In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, hybrid cars pay for themselves in fuel cost savings. Additionally, the eco feature on the car helps to improve fuel efficiency by 10%.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials
    How can you take your action a step further?
    Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/10/2018 9:35 AM
    I will purchase only recycled paper products. 
    Read More
  • Beth Unger's avatar
    Beth Unger 4/10/2018 9:34 AM
    My Honda Civic Hybrid averages 43 mpg. I'm very happy with the performance.
    Read More