EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Mary Fitzgerald

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,331 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

25

conversations

with people
UP TO

0.0

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

17

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

640

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

200

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

45

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

639

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Mary's actions

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

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

Transport

Stay on the Ground

#43 Airplanes, #63 Telepresence

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Advocate For Greener Vehicles

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Purchase a Carbon Offset

#43 Airplanes

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Fix Leaky Faucets

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Nutrient Management

#65 Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 25 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.

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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 40 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Plan to Insulate

#31 Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 Explore Other Food Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:51 AM

Any food choice affects my health and the health of the planet. I feel good supporting local farmers and try to buy organic when I can. I've paid more intention to what grains I eat and how they are grown.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Advocate For Greener Vehicles

How does advocating for green vehicles in your community connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to fuel-efficient vehicles?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:49 AM

I commuted to school by bike. My Dad commuted by bike and bus to work for 30 years. My first car was the most efficient car I could find and so will our next one. A testimony can make a difference. My sisters each have a Prius. Cost savings is a great incentive,

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Purchase a Carbon Offset

A round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles emits just over 1.5 tons of CO2. What can you do to reduce the number of flights you take per year?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:45 AM

Choose to stay home and join he meeting call in.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:44 AM

We discovered wonderful places to visit in our state. A family vacation is really about time spent together experiencing new places. We don't have to go far to do that.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:42 AM

The older boys are out of the house,It's time to sell the van. There are so many choices out there hybrid, electric..!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

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

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:41 AM

Keep working with middle school students. This next generation is on board and ready to advocate!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Fix Leaky Faucets

What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:40 AM

Showering less frequently and more efficiently. Daily long showers is a western indulgence.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:36 AM

My biggest concern is that we aren't doing enough fast enough to mitigate climate change. I take a deep breath and remember how many people and students are working for change and there is hope.

Read More
- Jenna Jarvis 4/24/2019 8:01 AM
  
  My biggest concern is even though individuals are trying, our U.S cities weren't designed for humans/environment. Its so frustrating that we can't snap our fingers and consolidate cities, get rid of parking lots, shrink our streets to make them pedestrian friendly, etc...I try to bike/walk places, but our cities are so spread out. I'm afraid of other developing countries following our dumb pattern and forcing car use. Check out Strong Towns if you haven't already, they advocate for a more efficient use of tax dollars and better designed cities!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Launch a Recycling Program

How can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:34 AM

The ecology class expanded the recycling at the middle school to include plastic bags.

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?

Mary Fitzgerald 4/24/2019 7:33 AM

Long term health of our farms and farm families.

Read More