EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Lily Cusanelli

SUNY New Paltz Hawks

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
707 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

32

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

210

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

125

minutes

spent learning

Lily's actions

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 15 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

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

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

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

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Lily Cusanelli 4/17/2019 1:29 PM

My idea of a sustainable community would be powered fully by clean energy sources. At SUNY New Paltz we are headed in the right direction with solar panels near some of the academic buildings. In order to work towards being powered by clean energy we could work building by building until they are all switched over.

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?

Lily Cusanelli 4/15/2019 11:36 AM

Something you can do to help the Peatlands even if you live far away is to raise awareness, because the lack of is causing the Peatlands to be damaged and exploited.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

What is the most exciting solution you explored? Why is it exciting to you?

Lily Cusanelli 4/15/2019 11:11 AM

I think that the small methane digester was a really interesting energy solution because it is something that anyone can use in their home to help make a difference. Additionally, because it is for things like cooking it is something that could probably help people in developing countries if given access to it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Micro Wind

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?

Lily Cusanelli 4/11/2019 11:39 AM

The sports fields at my local school district are typically pretty windy. Micro turbines could be installed on the big light post to help power them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Biomass

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!

Lily Cusanelli 4/11/2019 11:21 AM

I has not previously learned about biomass technology before this challenge. What I learned is that biomass is the 4th leading energy source and has the potential to provide all the energy services needed in modern society and could meet the global energy demand in 2050.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?

Lily Cusanelli 4/08/2019 12:47 PM

I learned that wave and tidal has so much potential because of how predictable it is, even more so than wind. However, they still need to do research to figure out what kind of impact harvesting this energy could have on marine life. I was surprised to learn that this is something new, considering how great of a renewable energy source the ocean could be.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?

Lily Cusanelli 4/08/2019 12:05 PM

Although it takes an initial investment to convert a home to a geothermal energy source, we can encourage people to make the change because it will save them money in the log run as well as give them clean air in their home.

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?

Lily Cusanelli 4/04/2019 1:33 PM

Now that I know dates on food products are about food quality and safety, I will make sure that my family and I do not throw out food prematurely if it is still safe to eat.

Read More