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April 3 - April 24, 2019
Fernando Guillen's avatar

Fernando Guillen

FGCU Climate Change Heroes

""The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom." - Theodore Roosevelt"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 639 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    19
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    510
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    175
    minutes
    spent learning

Fernando's actions

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

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

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

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 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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 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?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/24/2019 7:39 PM
    I have realized how much of a drastic impact palm oil production has had on deforestation. It's found in about 50 percent of consumer goods and seems to be found mostly in processed foods. I can decrease my negative impact by trying to cut out products with palm oil and purchase products from companies who are switching to more sustainable palm oil or just stick to products that don't use it at all.
  • 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?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/24/2019 7:27 PM
    It makes me reevaluate everyday choices I make and how I could potentially reduce my impact on the environment. In my freshmen year of college I vowed to not use plastic straws anymore, but there are still very rare occasions where I regrettably forget I'm using one. It's overwhelming to think how little time is left to take action and tackle climate change. What makes me hopeful is how open-minded many people in my generation, and other younger ones, are when it comes to the topic of climate change. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities Go for a Daily Walk
    What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/24/2019 7:17 PM
    By living on campus, I have the opportunity to walk through the campus trails and a boardwalk that help me appreciate the native flora. I have really enjoyed encountering cottontail rabbits at night. 
  • 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?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/20/2019 6:25 PM
    Regenerative agriculture can help increase the biodiversity of an ecosystem, encourages holistic grazing, and can help to improve watersheds.
  • 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?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/18/2019 7:35 PM
    The most obvious first course of action would be to refrain from using palm oil products. Palm oil production is degrades the environment of its forests and produces greenhouse gasses in the process. I also did some investigating and some ways to help protect peatlands is by contacting the Badan Restorasi Gambut or Peatland Restoration Agency and ask them to get more involved in the regrowth of the peatlands. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
    What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/08/2019 4:52 PM
    It was cool to learn how a five story turbine is able to produce enough electricity to power hundreds of homes. It seems like a great alternative energy source for areas with the appropriate tidal power, like the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. I was surprised by potential impacts the turbines could have on various fish species. Thankfully, the video I watched talked about the new technologies that are being created to reduce any negative impacts on marine life. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
    What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/08/2019 4:37 PM
    A sustainable community would need to be composed of like-minded individuals when it comes to being conscious of the environment and how they use resources as to not deplete them. I believe a better environmental education would be needed for this vision to become reality. The public, and especially younger generations, hold the key to creating sustainable communities in the future
  • 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?

    Fernando Guillen's avatar
    Fernando Guillen 4/03/2019 3:40 PM
    The way meat products are marketed plays a major role. You see commercials of meat products on TV and on other forms of media. When you go to a fast food restaurant or grocery store, meat products most of the time will be far cheaper than produce and other non-meat options. This shows how much meat plays a part in the identity of North America.