April 3 - April 24, 2019

Katy D

""We are each other's business; we are each other's harvest; we are each other's magnitude and bond." - Gwendolyn Brooks"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
778 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

68

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

30

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Katy's actions

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

#5 Tropical Forests

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 6
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 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
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

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

#47 Bioplastic

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 5 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 5 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 3 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.

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

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
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?

Katy D 4/24/2019 8:24 AM

I see the barriers that exist for mostly single mothers, or rather challenges. Single mothers have a lot to balance, especially if they are in school trying to improve their lives and those of their children. Single mothers need more support in order to balance work, children, and school.

Read More
Katy D 4/22/2019 8:42 AM

Happy Earth Day, everyone! The Eco-Challenge has provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the different challenges we are facing globally and what we can do as citizens. Since it is Earth Day, I would suggest that people check out 'Our Planet' on Netflix (if you have it). It is a wonderful series that was released in April that takes an ecosystems approach to the distinct regions of our planet, the flora and fauna that exist there, the impact humans have, and the potential for recovery, if we give the planet space and time to do so.

Read More
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?

Katy D 4/21/2019 7:47 AM

My vision is where anything that can be reused is. Since I live in a right to farm community, the ability to use methane digesters would help reduce the farms emissions and provide both fertilizer to reinvest in their soils as well as an alternative fuel source. I think my vision of a sustainable community involves everyone doing their part to reduce overconsumption of non-renewable resources and encourage the protection of their surrounding environment. I think people's mentality needs to change. While there are many who share the sentiment, putting these ideas into practice can be hard. People drive too fast which wastes gas and emits more carbon dioxide. People litter instead of throwing trash away which impacts both local flora and fauna. We need to alter the throw-away culture than consumerism has pushed.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Learn about Temperate Forests

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

Katy D 4/20/2019 10:47 AM

For me, it always prompts me to wonder if there is more I can do. Small actions can add up to big results, but sometimes, it feels like your actions barely make a dent. I am constantly reassessing what I do and try to figure out if I can do them more sustainably, more efficiently, etc. The challenges are vast and serious. It seems overwhelming at times, but you cannot lose hope. As long as we live and we choose to, we can make a difference. Knowing that a lot of people are doing their part is a source of optimism.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 2

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Katy D 4/19/2019 6:02 AM

I think it was easier for me to change my diet because I have already incorporated some of these practices. The challenges tend to be with shopping for coffee and chocolate, but I do my best to shop for items that are fair trade.

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?

Katy D 4/17/2019 7:47 AM

I had not heard the term silvopasture until now. (The Eco-challenge is teaching me some new things!) I think there are multiple advantages that seem to enhance one another. It seems like a sustainable way to do grazing. Obviously, not a large-scale production, but the ability to keep carbon out of the atmosphere. Improved health for livestock. Multiple, integrated use for the same space. Silvopasture screams sustainability!

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?

Katy D 4/16/2019 7:50 AM

Knowing the difference between the three helps decide when things must be thrown out. Sell by and best by seem to have more to do with quality (i.e. peak taste, etc.). Use by seems to be about overall condition. If I have something in my house that has passed either its sell by or best by date, I know I can still consume it. Knowledge is power!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Eliminate Toxic Plastics

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Katy D 4/15/2019 8:53 AM

Napkins. I tear them in half to get more use out of them. I use reusable shopping bags and vegetable bags - been doing that for years. I recently started bringing my own container for leftovers when I eat out.

Read More
- Jamie Jacquart 4/15/2019 12:08 PM
  
  All of those little changes add up and also inspire others!
  
  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?

Katy D 4/12/2019 10:41 AM

Climate change would be a big reason. The way we currently produce our food is not sustainable and is actually detrimental. Carbon has been released due to monoculture farming that does not put carbon and nutrients back in the soil. Another reason would be food diversity. By rotating crops, you could be more productive with less. A third reason would be animal health and welfare. The use of fertilizers and pesticides have a negative impact on animals (and humans).

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Katy D 4/11/2019 6:43 AM

I have worked really hard to eat as locally as possible. Since I am a vegetarian, there is no meat in my diet, but I still eat eggs and cheese. The eggs I purchase are from a local farm and the cheese is from Cabot, which is regionally local.

I think the one thing I can do to continue with reducing my impact is to make sure I continue to purchase cocoa and coffee that are sustainable produced. Also when I look at new food items to purchase, that they do not contain palm oil, which promotes deforestation.

Read More