"Every day I see people sitting in their cars, texting, with the windows rolled up and their air conditioners on. That wastes gas and puts greenhouse gases (CO2) in the environment. Instead people can save gas, feel the breeze on their faces and not pollute. Recently my dad took us to Wilder Ranch. It was beautiful. We stepped out of the car, and a family in a car nearby was idling. I walked up to their car and asked if they could turn off their engine. The man said his wife was feeding their baby. Do they need to waste gas, emit C02 and have their windows rolled up to feed a baby? Later I returned to our car to get a hat and was surprised that their engine was shut off. Through his open window the man said, “I turned off my engine for you, buddy.” I was happy to see that and hopeful."
POINTS TOTAL
0
TODAY
0
THIS WEEK
1,121
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
0.0
conversations
with people
UP TO
1.0
documentary
watched
UP TO
135
gallons of water
have been saved
UP TO
140
minutes
spent learning
UP TO
5.0
plastic containers
not sent to the landfill
UP TO
3.0
public officials or leaders
contacted
Owen's actions
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
Transport
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
#66 High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
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
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
#47 Bioplastic
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 0 friends, family and/or colleagues.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Materials
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
#47 Bioplastic
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.
COMPLETED 5
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
Materials
Fix Leaky Faucets
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.
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
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
Materials
Recycle Everything I Can
#55 Household Recycling
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Use
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
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
Research Peatlands
#13 Peatlands
I will spend 15 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
COMPLETED 2
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 0
DAILY ACTIONS
Land Use
Learn about Local Indigenous Practices
#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Use
Choose Better Wood Products
#38 Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
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
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
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 UseAdvocate for Forest Protection
Higher standards of living are very often dependent on moving our environmental costs elsewhere. What are some specific ways in which the environmental impacts of your own lifestyle might be shifted elsewhere?
A specific way the environmental impacts my lifestyle might be shifted is for example China produces lots of stuff. Which we use and then discard and then goes back to China.
TransportResearch 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?
TransportResearch and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
What are the factors that influence your choice of transportation? These can include things like money, time, and convenience, as well as perceptions of danger or safety. What would need to change for you to regularly choose more climate-friendly options?
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?
When I hear about what we are doing to the environment and how we are affecting it it is overwhelming, but I see more change every week and that gives me hope.
