EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Charlize Bocianowski

Union Vale Middle School

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
596 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

2.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

110

minutes

spent learning

Charlize's actions

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

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

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 10 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

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

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 2
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

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 10 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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
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?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 9:11 AM

Several people in the United States eat multiple servings of meat per day. If we change to a more plant based diet we can make less emissions of greenhouse gases because producing meat emits more greenhouse gases than growing plants. This shows that Americans are used to having whatever meat they want without thinking about the amount of greenhouse gases released just from making one meal.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? Share some of the learning with your friends!

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 8:59 AM

Women are often forced into pregnancy all over the world. Without family planning there are more and more people in this world and this would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions.

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?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 8:42 AM

Women-owned businesses provide millions of new job openings. This could also help women make money and help create gender equality all over the world. Then women can support their family without even needing men to tell them what to do.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 8:32 AM

Gender equality isn't something that I see a problem with in my community but in several other places, even other countries women aren't allowed to vote or they can only do something if a man is also there.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Research Peatlands

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 8:21 AM

You can always help reduce carbon emissions in your community by saving energy and recycling. You can also speak to someone that is a representative in your area such as your senator even if it's just by writing an email to them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Research Cement Alternatives

Concrete is a good example of a material that most of us encounter every day, but may its carbon footprint is not obvious. What other everyday materials might have a large carbon footprint? How can you find out more?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/19/2019 8:15 AM

Plastic could have a large carbon footprint. You can research about it and talk to people that can help answer your questions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/10/2019 2:40 PM

To state my concerns about climate change I could email any representative in my community or write and post something about it on social media. I could also visit the representative in my community and share my thoughts about climate change.

Read More
- Kayleigh Maloney 4/22/2019 10:06 AM
  
  Make your concern known in the area. Tell people about what is going on or show your support through social media. Make posters or tell your friends and relatives about what they can do to help.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/10/2019 2:36 PM

Water, every year with my church I do a run for water and it always gets me thinking about people who don't have water and how terrible it would be to not have water. If I can start a compost bin and it stops our water supply from diminishing I would love to start a compost bin.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/07/2019 12:06 PM

If you know the difference between use by, sell by, and best buy dates you can eliminate waste by knowing when to use items by so that you don't have to throw out as much food. If you think you have to throw out food after the sell by date but the best buy date is further away then you wasted food by not knowing the difference.

Read More
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?

Charlize Bocianowski 4/07/2019 11:47 AM

I think that the biggest advantage of having silvopasture is that the trees provide shade for the animals. Being in the sun limits milk production in cows. It will also limit the growth of the animal. This would make the cow not have as much meat.

Read More