EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Sarah Gruber

Chambers Elementary

"Doing my part to make this a better place for our children!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
999 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

34

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

125

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

320

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Sarah's actions

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

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

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

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

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

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 5 friends, family and/or colleagues.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

#8 Solar Farms

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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

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

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 25 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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

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
Materials Launch a Recycling Program

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

Sarah Gruber 4/22/2019 6:21 PM

As a teacher I can/will continue to educate my students about the importance of the three R's, as well as other practices they can be part of that will help us create change. Making our young ones aware, and helping them to develop good habits now is part of the solution!

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?

Sarah Gruber 4/15/2019 6:49 PM

I had not heard of "silvopature" before reading about through here! There are several very important benefits to silvopasture, but I think that climate mitigation is probably the most important. Silvopasture is thought to be one of the top climate saving forms of agriculture available.

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?

Sarah Gruber 4/11/2019 7:07 PM

Traveling by plane to a wedding soon...purchased carbon offset credits for this trip!

Read More
- Valerie Percy 4/13/2019 6:30 AM
  
  I just read that carbon offsets are much less expensive than I thought - just a few bucks for a cross-country flight? Couldn't airlines just bundle that in with ticket price? I'm checking this challenge out - thanks Sarah!
  
  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?

Sarah Gruber 4/11/2019 11:28 AM

I think in our culture the majority of us were brought up to think a meal/plate isn't complete without a meat on it. I think we are becoming more aware, however, of where our meat is coming from, and the impact eating meat from certain sources has on the planet (and our bodies). We have much more access now to recipes/information/etc than the older generations did...easier to find meatless recipes that are delicious!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Go Paperless

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

Sarah Gruber 4/10/2019 5:27 PM

Always working on trying to place more value in the experiences we have and connections we make over the 'stuff' we own. It's a challenge in today's world where bigger/newer/more is "better"!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

Every dollar you put into solar or wind is a dollar not put into traditional financial institutions. You'll also be bolstering the fossil fuel divestment movement, too. Name some companies you know that invest in green energy. How can you support them?

Sarah Gruber 4/10/2019 9:19 AM

We are part of a community solar farm, called Clearway Community Solar. This company maintains solar farms which Kingston customers can subscribe to. No longer do you have to install solar panels on your home to invest in solar energy...you receive solar credits which are applied to your utility bill. I'm curious how many Kingston companies are taking part in programs like this!?

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?

Sarah Gruber 4/09/2019 5:10 PM

Regenerative agriculture/farming is both good for the land AND the consumer. Healthier soil means healthier food for our bodies, and a healthier environment for all. Farming in this manner is not all that hard...it can just mean rotating crops and/or cover-cropping for a season or two! (My sister is an organic vegetable farmer...lol...she talks about this a lot.)

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?

Sarah Gruber 4/08/2019 9:11 AM

The scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face feels VERY overwhelming (and quite scary). However, the more I/we can educate ourselves, the quicker we can create change. Change starts with yourself, your household, your classroom.....educating myself, my children, and my students about what is happening to this planet, and what we can do to make change, allows me to feel hopeful. Just one small change at a time can have a huge impact! Doing my part and spreading the word is all we can do!

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?

Sarah Gruber 3/19/2019 6:09 PM

Personally, I believe if there is an easy-enough way to NOT contribute to global warming, etc, why wouldn't that be the choice? Assuming cost is not a huge factor (hybrids can be quite a bit more expensive), it only makes sense to choose an automobile the next time around that is less harmful to the earth (and all those on it). Perhaps the money saved in gas will off-set the higher price tag?? That is the research I am doing. :)

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?

Sarah Gruber 3/19/2019 5:59 PM

I am currently researching geothermal as a potential energy source in our home. At this point in time we are looking to convert in the very near future. I try to advocate for greener energy sources when appropriate...as I learn more about geothermal I will pass along the new learning/information to those willing to listen. :)

Read More