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
Women and GirlsGive a Microloan
Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. Why do you think that is?
I'll be spending the day in our state's capital pushing for legislation and policies that move our state towards renewable energy. In Illinois, wind is the most economical renewable.
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?
From my quick 30-minute read up on microwind, it seems that the pricing of this technology needs to come down before it is realistic in the US. But for developing nations, this technology seems to be beneficial right now in bringing small amounts of electricity to places off the grids and offering power besides diesel and kerosene. In places like the Midwest, where analysis shows that the best renewable mix for my state, Illinois, is optimal at two-thirds wind, microwind is definitely one to watch.
I am inspired to act on sustainable energy because of my great concern about the future my grandchildren face. Human life as we know it is threatened. I'm 100% committed to renewable energy.
It sounds like wave and tidal energy is too expensive to compete. There also is the issue of disrupting marine life. Perhaps sometime in the future is can be useful, but for right now wind and solar seem the way to go.
Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?
Technically we're still awaiting our mulch which is why I was waiting on reporting this. But the service was scheduled weeks ago and will be placed SOON. There will be a hefty price tag that accompanies this (primarily for the materials, not labor but happy to support that too), but it sure helps to know that this investment helps the planet at large too, not just our property. So good to have learned that here!
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?
Supporting women-owned businesses is easy for me — it's two birds with one stone! (GASP! Need a new reference phrase! I love birds :-/ ) Anyway, supporting women has become a huge issue to me along with climate ever since the Women's March reinvigorated me last year. How can people not be feminists?! What's trickier to see is that supporting female efforts benefits us ALL. Better together. Together we rise. Win-win — amazing!
This 5 1/2 minute film (link below), 'Expired? Food Waste in America' by Harvard Food Law and Policy Center shows the huge problem we have in the US and the havoc wrecked by arbitrary dates on food. It's one thing when these dates throw an individual consumer off, but food pantries and whole grocery stores have outdated practices that are causing large quantities of food waste. We must address this!
I love this challenge, I'm just sad I haven't had as much time to give it as I'd hoped so far. I'm pushing for a strong finish and excited for what I will yet learn on behalf of our planet! -jL
Straight from the USDA: "In an effort to reduce food waste, it is important that consumers understand that the dates applied to food are for QUALITY and not for safety. Food products are safe to consume past the date on the label, and regardless of the date, consumers should evaluate the quality of the food product prior to its consumption."
None of the dates on food packaging is there noting safety:
A "Best if Used By/Before" indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
A "Sell-By" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
A "Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
I've been meaning to research this and have learned so much in a short amount of time! I needed to know these facts to pass on to my family and be sure I'm guiding our household to maintain safe practices. There are clearly a lot of misconceptions and now I can assist in clearing them up to people within my sphere of influence.
Cynthia Linton 4/25/2018 9:07 AMI am inspired to act on sustainable energy because of my great concern about the future my grandchildren face. Human life as we know it is threatened. I'm 100% committed to renewable energy.