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 13
DAILY ACTIONS
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS
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.
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food
Learn More about Silvopasture
#9 Silvopasture
I will spend at least 10 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Buildings and Cities
Replace Manual Thermostats
#57 Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers
#6 Educating Girls
I will donate one or more Femme Kits to help girls overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Electricity Generation
Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions
All Electricity Generation Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Buildings and Cities
Plan to Insulate
#31 Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
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
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS
Food
Zero-waste Cooking
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.
COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS
Transport
Use Public Transit
#37 Mass Transit
I will use public transit 1 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 0.57 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Micro Wind
#76 Micro Wind
I will spend at least 2 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 2 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Support Women-Owned Businesses
#62 Women Smallholders
I will support women-owned businesses when I shop this month.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION
Transport
Use Muscle Power
#49 Cars
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION
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.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Materials
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
#47 Bioplastic
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 5 friends, family and/or colleagues.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Use
Learn about Local Indigenous Practices
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Materials
Properly Dispose of Refrigerants
#1 Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Start a Social Media Campaign
#6 Educating Girls
I will share stats on gender inequity in education with my social media feed to raise awareness.
COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS
Materials
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.
UNCOMPLETED
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
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
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
Electricity Generation
Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. How can you better support communities by supporting women?
It makes me slightly uneasy to spotlight a woman owned business vs a male owned business. Maybe the conversation should be any business (owned by men or women) committed to community. Innately women and men are prone to certain gifts and using our gifts for the welfare of those around us should be rewarded. The emphasis should be the message of community not women vs. men.
Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?
I first need to weather strip couple of drafty areas in the house. I can also wear sweaters and socks to help stay warm in the winter and wear lighter clothing in the summer.
How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
I have come to enjoy my walk and bike to many places I would typically use a car. This choice helps me see areas that community service projects could be focused on.
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?
This is a new concept for me and I dismissed the idea of limiting the amount of meat I eat a year ago. For the most part we live in a society where we want what we want and even if we don't really want it the idea of not having it seems a bit stifling. Until people are educated about the impacts of cultural norms and positively given the opportunity to make small changes, then I think most people will gladly turn a blind eye. Although it's good to understand how the rest of the world eat, the biggest impact will come when Americans see their diet is not affected by eating less meat and the impact their decision has on the environment.
I'm sure there are many advantages, but one that I see in my brief introduction of Silvopasture is the ability for synergy in two very different industries that would traditionally operate autonomously.
