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April 3 - April 24, 2019
Philip Au's avatar

Philip Au

NYPA

"Keep it sustainable!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,608 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    234
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1,080
    miles
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    1,080
    miles
    traveled by bus
  • UP TO
    205
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    844
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    public official or leader
    contacted
  • UP TO
    14
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Philip's actions

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.

COMPLETED
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

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 14
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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Conduct Virtual Meetings

#63 Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

#30 Methane Digesters (large), #64 Methane Digesters (small)

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

#8 Solar Farms

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 10 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Rooftop Solar Consultation

#10 Rooftop Solar

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Advocate for Solar Installation

#10 Rooftop Solar

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Public Transit

#37 Mass Transit

I will use public transit 60 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 33.95 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.

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?


  • Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/25/2019 6:24 AM
    I thought this was a great way to encourage sustainability efforts and have a bit of a competitiveness while learning. I enjoyed the challenges and wish I could have done even more. I think this challenge sparked a few new ways for me to continue to be more sustainable after this challenge is over, including meatless meals, more virtual meetings and becoming an advocate in my community. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Conduct Virtual Meetings
    How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:14 PM
    I am fortunate to work for a company that supports webex meetings. In the last year I've drastically reduced the amount of time, money and carbon spent of driving and flying and conducted virtual meetings from my desk instead. This is sustainability at its finest!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Use Muscle Power
    How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:13 PM
    This is a topic I will be trying to understand more in my community. I enjoy walking and biking however, sidewalks, general walkable areas and especially bike lanes are limited. I am "forced" in a sense to drive or commute via bus/carpool which isn't ideal either. I would like to engage my community to advocate for more walking and biking areas. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Stay on the Ground
    What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:10 PM
    I've conducted more webex meetings this year and avoided road travel. This also includes air travel to Western New York I would have flown to, and conducted webex. With the proliferation of video conference technology, I am able to avoid flying/drving whenever possible. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
    What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:08 PM
    I came from a region devastated by draught in southern California. So I am keenly aware of the affects it has to a community. I do what I can at home and raise awareness of the situation in CA to avoid it in my region. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Install a Toilet Bank
    How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:06 PM
    I believe in all areas of conservation at home and that includes water. However, I can use less at home, I try my best. I believe it starts with the individual doing what they are able to at home to help change the water situation in their community. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Install a Toilet Bank
    How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:06 PM
    I believe in all areas of conservation at home and that includes water. However, I can use less at home, I try my best. I believe it starts with the individual doing what they are able to at home to help change the water situation in their community. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Zero-waste Cooking
    How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 12:02 PM
    I'm a firm believer in that black carbon or these emissions that are created from cooking fire is carcinogenic. Therefore it greatly impacts human health. I believe there is also a certain amount in our environment that is unavoidable, meaning its not caused by oneself then it becomes a social justice issue as well. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities Upgrade My Windows
    How does improving your home's energy efficiency help you better live out your values?

    Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 11:56 AM
    I've reached out to ConEd to conduct a home energy efficiency audit. The audit is to make sure I am doing everything within my means to have an energy efficient home. I take pride in lowering my energy consumption and being one of the lowest users in my neighborhood.

  • Philip Au's avatar
    Philip Au 4/24/2019 8:05 AM
    WE'RE ON THE FINAL DAY! Sad to see this challenge go, it was a great learning experience and fun to complete these actions. Looking forward to keeping up with these challenges on my own and await the next team challenge!