EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Simona Azzolini

University of Cambridge

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
770 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

10

donations

made
UP TO

15

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

30

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

270

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

125

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

10

people

helped

Simona 's actions

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 9
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.

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

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

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
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 3 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 15 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Women and Girls

Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

#6 Educating Girls

I will donate 10 Femme Kit(s) to help girls overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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
Transport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

Simona Azzolini 4/23/2019 2:44 PM

I would say the above benefits are enough for me. Another thing that motivates me is to create demand for Green vehicles and support those businesses that are investing in R&D to advance clean technologies.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Simona Azzolini 4/23/2019 2:41 PM

No, it is the first time I read about it. It looks to me a form of rigenerative agriculture. The main environmental benefits I see are carbon sequestration m, increased wildlife abundance and diversity.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Simona Azzolini 4/18/2019 1:53 PM

A key concern is the lack of action and behaviour change of many people that are educated and understand that we are on the wrong path. It looks there is an inertia barrier or the willingness to forget about the co sequences of any action we take. People are generally more involved at local level. This is easily explained as proximity means that risks are better understood and the effects of inaction more tangible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Simona Azzolini 4/14/2019 11:45 AM

I pay more attention at the weather and appreciate more sunny days with a blue sky. As I try to avoid busy streets and walk through parks I enjoy the tranquillity of big open spaces. Walking in London means to have to deal with thousands of car that never stop to let you cross the road. Changing the rules and give priority to pedestrians at crossroads would help as much as having more zebra crossing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Conduct Virtual Meetings

How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?

Simona Azzolini 4/14/2019 11:40 AM

Using videoconference tools such as Skype and Hang Out makes it easy for people to establish a face to face relationship even if they are not in the same room. To make everyone comfortable - unless the meeting involves people that know each other well - I ask participants to present themselves and I ask a ice-breaker question such as ‘what is your favourite hobby?’ ‘What is your favourite holiday destination?’.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

Simona Azzolini 4/13/2019 11:57 AM

In the UK 3 billion litres of water a day are lost because of pipes leakage . Given the expected population growth and effects of climate change (last year we had 8 weeks of temperatures between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius in London!) there is a significant risk of shortages in the incoming years. While we need to start using water wisely - see www.edenproject/learn/for-everyone/water-saving-tips), water companies need to address the issue of pipe leakages.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?

Simona Azzolini 4/13/2019 11:47 AM

It helps revers climate change because it rebuilds soil organic matter and restores degraded soil biodiversity, which results in carbon drawdown (carbon stock) and improved water cycle.
It also improves nutrition because more diverse ago-ecosystems lead to diversified nutrient output.
Www.regenerationintrnational.org

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Support Women-Owned Businesses

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? Can you share any past experiences that may help others take action?

Simona Azzolini 4/13/2019 11:23 AM

I have friends that are business owner and I always promote them within my network. I also connect women that work in similar business so that they can share their experience and benefit from each other support.
I also support women charities such as Give a Future (giveafuture.org.uk) by shopping Lalibella’s accessories.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

In your opinion, what contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other countries? What does this say about North American values and ways of living?

Simona Azzolini 4/07/2019 7:15 AM

I am not American so I may be biased but I think that meat consumption in North America may be driven by:
- cultural factors (meat is considered good and healthy food) + values (see last point)
- price (available at an affordable price)
- ‘golden protein’ bias as the narrative in the past was that we need a lot of protein in our diet and meat provides the best quality proteins
- individualism vs collectivism. A key characteristic of American culture that does not align well with sustainability values

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Smaller Portions

Fun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?
Simona Azzolini 4/07/2019 6:57 AM
Avoid gaining weight

Mindful eating which leads to better digestion
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