EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Sara Fiorenzo

Team Lindy!

"To truly make the world a better place for my grandchildren and all future generations. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
683 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

donations

made
UP TO

4.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

2.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

115

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

trees

planted

Sara's actions

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will spend at least 10 minutes minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.

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

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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Plant Trees

#15 Afforestation

I will plant 2 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 30 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Fund Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

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
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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/24/2019 7:40 AM

The more I learn, the more determined I get to help. I will do my part to lower my carbon footprint, and I will pass the word to as many people as I can. Everyone needs to take part. I'm hopeful because I know there are many worthwhile organizations and communities fighting to do their part. Knowledge is power and we all need to convince others to help.

Read More
Sara Fiorenzo 4/24/2019 7:32 AM

I'm sorry the challenge is over today but I have learned a great deal and will continue to use what I've learned to continue my goal of keeping the planet healthy.

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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/23/2019 8:29 AM

I will read labels and research, and make sure the products I buy do not contain pam oil.

Read More
Sara Fiorenzo 4/23/2019 8:21 AM

Doing the best I can to finish strong

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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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/22/2019 6:51 AM

Omg I just read that my love of coffee can hasten destructive climate change by encouraging producers to chop down more of the last remaining tropical forests. I am now more aware of my part in deforestation and climate change.

Read More
Sara Fiorenzo 4/20/2019 12:47 PM

As Passover and Easter are here and fast approaching, watch your packaging when you shop, try not to overbuy and cook more than you need (I'm usually guilty) and watch what you throw away. Leftovers are good! Enjoy!

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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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/20/2019 12:44 PM

By knowing the difference between these somewhat confusing terms will prevent food waste, save your pocketbook, and help the planet. I read an article (Forbes 12/17/16) that stated: Studies have shown that 20% of consumer food waste occurs because people are confused by date labels, and 84% of American consumers report that they discard food close to or past the date on the package. Think you don't do this? Well, then you have lots of company. So learn your terms!

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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/18/2019 1:17 PM

I can volunteer my time or donate money to organizations such as a domestic violence crisis center that helps women get skills they need to get back on their feet. By getting involved you help women in your community.

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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?

Sara Fiorenzo 4/10/2019 1:00 PM

I guess is has to do with doing better financially. Years ago, families may not have had the money to eat meat regularly. It might have become a sign of prosperity. Today it has become so readily available and people are just used to having meat. Sometimes it's more expensive for families to buy organic or even regular vegetables. I'll tell you one thing, we need to be more conscious of where our food comes from, and who we are hurting.

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- Lisa Kropp 4/11/2019 8:44 AM
  
  I think I am going to subscribe to the Misfits Market box - have you heard of them? All that bumpy and ugly produce gets sent to homes instead so we can eat more veggies! https://www.misfitsmarket.com/
  
  Read More
Sara Fiorenzo 4/10/2019 12:44 PM

While I was reading the Chapter on Food/Reduced Waste section (page 42) in the Drawdown book, I learned 1/3 of the food raised or prepared does not make it from farm to factory to fork. One reason is that retailers reject food based on bumps, bruises, coloring--for aesthetic value. That's why we never see crooked carrots in the local supermarket. Vegetables are ruthlessly sorted to conform to "quality standards" set by the food chains. The unnatural carrots and other ugly vegetables are sent off to piggeries or just left to rot in water at the processing plants.. But there is a program called Feeding the 5000, founded by Tristram Stuart, that feeds 5000 people a free lunch from ingredients that otherwise would be thrown away. These public events have been held in Paris, London, Washington DC, Sydney, Amsterdam and Brussels.

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