Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 4 - April 25, 2018

Sam Yoffee

Asheville High School!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
921 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

140

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

4.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

66

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people

Sam's actions

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

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 22
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

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 25 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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

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

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.

COMPLETED
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

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 2 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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
Land Use

Higher standards of living are very often dependent on moving our environmental costs elsewhere. What are some specific ways in which the environmental impacts of your own lifestyle might be shifted elsewhere?
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 10:26 AM
The amount of electricity and hot water that I use and waste could have effects on energy generation and could also have an effect on developing countries. My food waste could also be decreased because it could be used by others.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 10:19 AM
My science teacher, Ms. Duffer is really enthusiastic about sustainable energy and it's pretty inspiring. My friend Anne Elise also created the sustainability club at our school and I think that's really cool.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 9:58 AM
Recently the weather has been really strange, with hot and cold spells. We got snow in the middle of April, and that was really upsetting. Seeing the effect we're having on the planet directly affect my town was scary, and I don't want that to continue.

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?
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 9:37 AM
Pretty much everything seems overwhelming. It feels like nothing I do will make enough of an impact. But this challenge has been really great because it's helped me see how many people care about reversing climate change and if we all work together, we'll definitely make a difference. That's what makes me feel hopeful: even if I don't think I can make a difference on my own, I know I can make a difference with other people.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 9:24 AM
I mostly carpool or walk when I need to use transportation. I find that carpooling with friends is always enjoyable and gives me more time to socialize. When I walk, I have a reason to be outdoors getting exercise.

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?
Sam Yoffee 4/25/2018 9:23 AM
I won't be so quick to throw away food when the best by/sell by dates have passed. Instead, I'll inspect the food and if it's still good, I'll keep it.

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?
Sam Yoffee 4/23/2018 10:26 AM
I'm currently a vegetarian so I don't have to worry about contributing to the meat industry. However, I do eat a lot of products that contain palm oil, and I'm a big fan of chocolate, so I should probably cut back on those and/or find alternatives. I also eat dairy and eggs, but at some point in the future I might consider becoming a vegan or eating some meals without those products.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
Sam Yoffee 4/23/2018 10:10 AM
I think doing this challenge is helping a lot because I'm becoming more informed, and the best way to address my own concerns is to become more educated so that I can act on the information I gain. I also think it's important to participate in forms of protest, such as contacting representatives and marching.

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?
Sam Yoffee 4/23/2018 10:04 AM
I think investing in passive geothermal energy is probably easiest because it doesn't require the creation of electricity plants. I think if more people implemented passive geothermal energy in their houses, it would be very beneficial. However, if the government got involved and invested in active geothermal energy plants, it would be easier to implement active geothermal energy.

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!
Sam Yoffee 4/17/2018 9:28 AM
I had heard of biomass in my environmental class, but I was still a little confused about it. It's interesting to know that it's not a true solution, but instead that it's a bridge solution so that we can eventually reach the true solution of 100% clean energy.

Read More