EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Debra Kralka

Team Headwaters

"If you give, you begin to live."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
850 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

21

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

180

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

65

minutes

spent learning

Debra's 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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

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

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

Use Muscle Power

#49 Cars

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

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 13
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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Transport

Improve a Bus Stop

#37 Mass Transit

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.

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 21
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

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?

Debra Kralka 4/24/2019 7:20 PM

We are in the top 10% - way to go team!

Read More
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?

Debra Kralka 4/24/2019 7:16 PM

I feel fortunate to live in a neighborhood that has tranquil walking paths and good sidewalks for muscle-motoring through town. I really have no complaints about the infrastructure; I enjoy walking and choose it whenever possible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Choose Recycled Paper

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

Debra Kralka 4/23/2019 6:02 PM

The next step is to reduce the amount of paper that I use. There is no reason for me to print anything at work other than I find it "easier to proof" on paper. I don't even have a filing cabinet. Most of what I print goes right to the shredder. My next step is to research and implement tools/tricks that will improve my ability to proof documents electronically.

Secondly, I will look to create electronic files that are easy to read on-screen so that those who share my files will not require printed copies either.

Read More
Debra Kralka 4/23/2019 5:49 PM

The holiday weekend presented many opportunities to lose focus on the challenge (long distance travel, time with family and old friends, irregular meals, inappropriate outdoor clothing, the allure of board games), and I did. Completely forgot to log in 1 day and broke my streak, and my goal, of checking in each day. Shucks! On the plus side: had a waste free road trip (that's new for me), stayed in an un-heated house (that's new for me), and ate meatless meals (not that new for me).

Read More
Debra Kralka 4/11/2019 5:45 PM

I shifted to paperless account updates for this challenge and got this paper confirmation (including a page intentionally left blank)!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Biomass

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!

Debra Kralka 4/10/2019 4:52 PM

Biomass technology is a new term for me. I am learning that I know very little about energy production! As I watched the story of how a school in Burns, Oregon is using Biomass Technology, it struck me just how eloquent a solution it is for them. It may only comprise 10% of the global energy production, and perhaps it is niche-y, it is still important for us to continue to develop and improve the technology. The more solutions we can devise, the better chance we have for finding one that fits a particular situation.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Use Muscle Power

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

Debra Kralka 4/08/2019 7:02 PM

By walking around town instead of driving, I feel much more connected to my community. I meet people I wouldn't otherwise, even if only for a brief moment. I notice nature and architecture that whips by my window when driving.
I also see a lot of litter. This reinforces in me the need to step up and be an active participant in the care and upkeep of the community I love so much.

Read More
Debra Kralka 4/04/2019 3:16 PM

I have a carton of chocolate bars at my office that I am selling. Today I was going to be my own customer when I reflected on my daily challenge of eliminating cocoa products from my diet that contribute to deforestation. I had never even considered that before. I called the company that supplies the chocolate and asked them about their practices. The man on the phone read a well put-together statement about their commitment to eliminate child labour in their cocoa supply chain but didn't know much about deforestation. He provided me with his ingredient supplier's name, ADM. I researched ADM and found that they do in fact have their sustainability policies online and I started reading them. It all seems good in writing but, were they doing enough? Are their efforts vigilant and consistent? Do they actual practice what is written? I couldn't be sure. I had to put my craving aside and leave the chocolates on the shelf. It is much easier to resist chocolate when there is good reason to!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 2

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Debra Kralka 4/03/2019 5:28 PM

My main staple for breakfast, for as long as I can remember, has been Mini Wheats. Although palm oil is not explicitly listed as an ingredient, Kellogg's remain secretive about their palm oil sourcing so supporting them does not feel right. I will have to create a whole new morning routine to enable time to prepare a different breakfast which will be very challenging for me. I welcome your breakfast ideas!!

Read More
- Grant Peters 4/10/2019 9:04 AM
  
  We have a revolving cycle of oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, cereal, and parfaits. Our cereal choice varies, and needs to be researched...
  
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Debra Kralka 4/01/2019 6:57 PM

Created my bullet journal page to keep me on track with taking action every day during the ecochallenge.

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