EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Jim McPhail

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

"To make the world a livable place for all, with huge concerns for my kids & grandkids!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,611 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

13

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

285

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

8.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

36

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

305

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

218

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

8.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Jim'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

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Local Perennial Biomass

#51 Perennial Biomass

I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Restore Wetlands

#52 Coastal Wetlands

I will volunteer 8 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Replace Manual Thermostats

#57 Smart Thermostats

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 15 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

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

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

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

Action Track: Social Justice

Contact your Elected Officials

#23 Farmland Restoration

I will contact 5 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Advocate for Forest Protection

#38 Forest Protection

I will contact 3 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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?

Jim McPhail 4/24/2019 7:41 PM

Using more local produce, having to put in more time looking for recipes, experimenting with new ingredients

Read More
Jim McPhail 4/23/2019 9:12 PM

This gets tougher the more I see how screwed up we are & how many things I can act on. It could be a 24x7 job - and I guess it really is.

Read More
Jim McPhail 4/22/2019 7:11 PM

TVP chili was okay. Frittata was a take on my usual omelettes (which turn out better). Next to try - nutritional yeast & soy nuts.
In researching, found palm oil in my shampoo, masquerading as Ammonium lauryl sulphate. Went further & found 6 pages of names for palm oil & its by-products. Such a pain checking these on food & non-food items! Did find a Canadian producer of palm-free shampoo tho' no loccal vendors.

Read More
- Anne-Louise Blue 4/23/2019 9:33 AM
  
  6 pages of names for palm oil! I had no idea. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts - you and Allison are inspiring.
  
  Read More
Jim McPhail 4/21/2019 9:27 PM

Lordie, I follow 1 thread of ugly, anti-Green practices & get led around the world about the endless interconnected evil practices. This could be a full-time job, it sure takes so much time making life changes. 1st TVP meal today.

Read More
- Leigh Grigg 4/26/2019 7:53 AM
  
  It should be a fulltime job!
  
  Read More
Jim McPhail 4/20/2019 5:11 PM

Don't understand the limit of 15 1-time challenges. I learn from all of them & hopefully have some effect

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Jim McPhail 4/20/2019 4:52 PM

Decided to ride share with relatives, increasing the joy of sharing hours with relatives I see too seldom.

Read More
Jim McPhail 4/19/2019 8:56 PM

Seems a majority of voters do not believe in climate change, most votes go to parties which even actively promise to cut Green initiatives!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Jim McPhail 4/19/2019 8:54 PM

Cut max temperature for heating, put at lowest setting once comfy enough, turn back up only when uncomfortable, wear more clothes when cold, in winter use ice box in garage rather than more in the fridge, use cold room/pantry rather than fridge, only required lights on, switched to LED lights.

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?

Jim McPhail 4/19/2019 8:51 PM

I see Right Wing People haters gaining ground as political powers in power of just dictatorships. Somehow they seem also to be climate change deniers and actually are making decisions that set us further back from climate change goals when we have so little time to make the major efforts required.
Hopeful? Getting less so. Feels good to see more people involved in various ways at grass roots levels.
But it's the major governmental-industrial axis having the biggest influence.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Local Perennial Biomass

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?

Jim McPhail 4/19/2019 8:43 PM

We will suffer more droughts, loss of animal & plant species, find the US coming after our water with military backing, loss of glaciers for summer water as snow & rain decrease, and Hell on Earth for my kids & grandkids!

Read More