We need to figure out how to stop using fossil fuels NOW. Not someday. TODAY.
Wanda Knapik
"Inspire humanity to respect and care for Mother Earth."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 3,156 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO2.0donationsmade
-
UP TO52locally sourced mealsconsumed
-
UP TO375minutesspent learning
-
UP TO174pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO3.0treesplanted
Wanda's actions
Land Use
Plant Trees
#15 Afforestation
I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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 implementing some other small improvement.
Action Track: Social Justice
Make School More Affordable
#6 Educating Girls
I will raise funds to help make school affordable for girls around the world.
Buildings and Cities
Replace Manual Thermostats
#57 Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
Land Use
Learn about Local Indigenous Practices
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.
Action Track: Social Justice
Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.
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.
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.
Transport
Test Drive an Electric Bike
#69 Electric Bikes
I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.
Transport
Stay on the Ground
#43 Airplanes, #63 Telepresence
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
Materials
Choose Recycled Paper
#70 Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
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.
Materials
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 90 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Electricity Generation
Solar Water Consultation
#41 Solar Water
I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.
Land Use
Research Peatlands
#13 Peatlands
I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food
Support Local Food Systems
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will source 50 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
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.
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?
-
Wanda Knapik 4/24/2019 8:20 AMThank you Drawdown Team and NW Earth Institute for inspiring us!
Planting seeds in our campus garden yesterday. Organic vegetable and herb seeds going in the Earth to celebrate Earth Day Every Day (carrots, spinach, dill, parsley, collards, swiss chard), seeing our flowers and fruit trees bloom! Students learning about how to grow food using organic and biodynamic practices and permaculture principles.
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Improve a Bus StopHow can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?
Wanda Knapik 4/23/2019 12:30 PMI support research on solar-powered airplanes. This company has the prototype working: https://www.solar-flight.com/
We need to figure out how to stop using fossil fuels NOW. Not someday. TODAY. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Plant TreesHow is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
Wanda Knapik 4/22/2019 3:39 PMI planted 3 fig trees in my community garden today. Gardening and planting trees are better than going to the gym for physical exercise. Breathing fresh air and having your hands in the earth are good for your mental, physical and spiritual health. Being present to the astonishing beauty and abundance of this Earth, that's what I did today, focused on being present. Deep gratitude for all the microbiology in the soil, for all the pollinators, for all the plants and trees and birds and bees. -
Wanda Knapik 4/19/2019 11:11 AMOutside in nature this weekend, taking a break from my computer. -
Wanda Knapik 4/18/2019 1:28 PMLooking forward to the holiday weekend and eating locally harvested food! -
Wanda Knapik 4/17/2019 7:23 AMOut on the farm today with students, learning how this organic farm uses permaculture practices and principles to grow nutrient-dense delicious organic vegetables: https://windsongorganicfarm.com/about/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy CreditsYour 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?
Wanda Knapik 4/16/2019 6:40 PMI reduced my electricity usage at home by adding a timer to my outdoor pathway lighting so the lights turn on at dusk and shut off at midnight. I don't use my clothes dryer as much because I line dry my clothes outside. -
Wanda Knapik 4/15/2019 4:37 PMColleen from the TRUE NORTH animal sanctuary visited campus today with the chicks! Students learning about vegan and vegetarian diets, Eat more Plants, less meat!
-
Wanda Knapik 4/15/2019 4:32 PMECOFEST CELEBRATION ON CAMPUS TODAY. New Ecology Club Leaders (Piper and Joe) in the center joined the eboard ! -
Wanda Knapik 4/14/2019 12:17 PMEducating girls in Nepal: https://blinknow.org/our-story