EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Nicole Getz

NYPA

"Bear in mind each and every day what my impact is and do better."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
903 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

5.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

30

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

100

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

35

minutes

spent learning

Nicole's actions

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Materials

Go Paperless

#70 Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Choose Recycled Paper

#70 Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Rooftop Solar Consultation

#10 Rooftop Solar

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 5
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

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Upgrade My Windows

#31 Insulation

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

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

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

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 15
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

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

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 12:18 PM

Last day and I am proud of myself and my co-workers for doing so well! We have made a difference and we should all commend ourselves and each other for it!!!!

Read More
- Lielle Berman 4/24/2019 2:38 PM
  
  Yes!!! Thank you so much for all you do, Nicole!! You are making a difference at NYPA and in the world :-)
  
  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?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 12:15 PM

There are so many resources for expiration date knowledge! I use this information to shop smarter, not choose items that I know have a chance of expiring before I use them. Knowing how far past an expiration date I can use something allows me to keep it and use it rather than tossing it into the garbage! I always look up to be sure I can't still use something if it is past the date.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Choose Recycled Paper

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 12:13 PM

I also subscribe to paperless statements for my utility bills, credit cards and whatever else I can. I also pay online or have automatic transfer so no paper is used for payment either.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Go Paperless

What do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 12:12 PM

I want to simplify, avoid clutter and only use what is necessary. I only order recycled envelopes and folders at work and only print what I need to!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Recycle Everything I Can

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 12:11 PM

I recycle everything I can at home and at work. I feel like even though I am only one person, I CAN and will make a difference and it feels great!

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?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 4:23 AM

Cost effective, environment friendly. Emissions are a great contributor to pollution and with so many options out there, why not switch when you are ready for a new vehicle?

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?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 4:22 AM

Since I purchase vehicles for NYPA, I have learned more and more about hybrids and electric vehicles. I have driven them and like them a lot. I am thinking of getting a car for my daughter and will definitely explore a fuel-efficient vehicle for her. Starting with the younger generation will make a huge difference in our future.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Buy Bamboo

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

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 4:21 AM

I am able to find bamboo alternatives in my community. We have a lot of little local businesses that concentrate on sustainable items and I enjoy giving business to local business owners.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Smaller Portions

Fun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 4:20 AM

I have been giving my family smaller plates for our dinner meals, the one meal we all sit down and have together. Less food is wasted and we are not over eating.

Read More
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?

Nicole Getz 4/24/2019 4:19 AM

I try to eat very little meat but most meals there is no meat at all. I have been diligent about having fresh fruits and veggies for breakfast and lunch.

Read More