EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Elise Malterre

One Stone

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
701 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

36

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

75

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

257

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

24

zero-waste meals

consumed

Elise's actions

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

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

Women and Girls

Connect With A Nonprofit

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on womens' or girls' issues in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Keep Track of Wasted Food

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the EcoChallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Elise Malterre 4/10/2019 12:40 PM

Traveling with low waste is hard!! In San Francisco there are so many options to go zero-waste, but when it comes to food, everything is packaged unless you go to a sit-down restaurant. I have to get clever

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?

Elise Malterre 4/10/2019 12:37 PM

I think it is a societal norm to base a meal around whatever meat is being served. People talk about the steak rather than the side of green beans or mash potatoes. There must be a shift away from being meat-centered to plant-centered

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Zero-waste Cooking

How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 12:44 PM

We inhale black carbon into our lungs, which have been proven to have negative health impacts. They release plumes of smoke and soot liable for 4.3 million premature deaths each year! That is HUGE!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Go Paperless

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

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 12:36 PM

I prioritize quality time with people and nature

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?

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 10:10 AM

When I bike, I feel more connected to people downtown and/or on the greenbelt

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?

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 10:08 AM

It isn't as intimidating to buy things that are close to the dates. I also know that other people are more afraid to buy things closer to the sell by or use by dates, so that makes me want to buy it more so it doesn't go to waste.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Keep Track of Wasted Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money?

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 10:06 AM

I would spend more on things that cost more to buy sustainably (i.e. clothes, food, appliances, etc.)

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Connect With A Nonprofit

What are the most pressing issues for women and girls in your community?

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 10:01 AM

Instead of working with girls locally, I am working with a local organization that is helping girls in other countries providing them with reusable menstrual products

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Buy Bamboo

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

Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 9:54 AM

Unfortunately, bamboo products are not very easy to find in stores other than co-ops and other natural food stores, but there are a lot of options online, although I didn't buy online to avoid unnecessary emissions through shipping just one thing.

Read More
Elise Malterre 4/03/2019 9:42 AM

It's so nice to have this reminder and incentive to do research and take action on environmental impact! I am excited to see how the rest of my team does too!

Read More