EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Christy Erfer

Sustainable Warwick

"Making a difference in my own backyard."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
891 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

18

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

20

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

225

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

person

helped
UP TO

20

zero-waste meals

consumed

Christy's actions

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Buy Bamboo

#35 Bamboo

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 18 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Give a Microloan

#62 Women Smallholders

I will give 1 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

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 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 20
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
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?

Christy Erfer 4/24/2019 8:28 PM

I had never considered the harm in this way of cooking before this eco challenge. I have learned so much.

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?

Christy Erfer 4/24/2019 8:26 PM

I find wind to be very exciting, but solar seems the most effective for where I live. I love the community soalr concept.

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?

Christy Erfer 4/24/2019 8:25 PM

Researching (and thanks to HeatSmart warwick) alternate ways to cool my home in summer. When the ac bites the dust sometime soon, not only will I be cautious about how to dispose of refrigerant, my options for cooling have been broadened to include air and ground source heat pumps.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Buy Bamboo

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 8:04 AM

Some are, but it is limited. I buy bamboo toothbrushes online a year's worth at a time.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

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

Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 8:02 AM

By doing something positive to make a dent in it. Positive action will help, hand wringing does nothing.

Read More
- Wendy V 4/23/2019 9:50 AM
  
  I totally agree! And sometimes, it even works. It feels good to fight back.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 7:59 AM

insulating my home. We are on our way, had the energy audit last week.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Research Heat Pumps

Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?

Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 7:53 AM

It's the future. We need to be better stewards of the earth and protect it so that our grandkids will not be stuck cleaning up the mess left by their grand and great grand parents.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Online Energy Audit

What are your next steps for saving energy?

Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 7:52 AM

We had the Heatsmart energy audit, replaced all incandescent bulbs, and are working on getting our home tightened up with insulation. Hope to have that done soon.

Read More
Christy Erfer 4/23/2019 7:40 AM

It's going well, I love the daily sign-in, it motivates me to do a little more each time I come to the site.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Give a Microloan

Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. Why do you think that is?

Christy Erfer 4/18/2019 7:36 PM

The mothering instinct? Different cultures probably have something to do with it also. An inspiring read on micro credit is A World of 3 Zeros by Muhammad Yunus.

Read More