Carol Newcomb
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 996 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO10conversationswith people
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO8.0meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO90minutesspent exercising
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UP TO165minutesspent learning
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UP TO930pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO2.0treesplanted
Carol's actions
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Transport
Purchase a Carbon Offset
#43 Airplanes
If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.
Transport
Conduct Virtual Meetings
#63 Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Food
Explore Other Food Solutions
All Food Solutions
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Land Use
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
#5 Tropical Forests
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 50 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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.
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).
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Land Use
Plant Trees
#15 Afforestation
I will plant 2 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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.
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.
Materials
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
#47 Bioplastic
I will spend at least 40 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 10 friends, family and/or colleagues.
Buildings and Cities
Go for a Daily Walk
#54 Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 45 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Materials
Research Cement Alternatives
#36 Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 50 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
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?
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Carol Newcomb 4/24/2019 12:49 PMI am SO PROUD of FGCU's Climate Change Hero Team! Our team of 35 took an early lead in accumulating points in the entire State of Florida and remained in 1st place until the very end!! It is not so important to me that we were #1 in Florida and #27 in the entire EcoChallenge, but that we all made strides in our own ways to draw down our carbon footprint. It is amazing how much individual actions add up! My biggest hope is that once this EcoChallenge is over, our team will continue to take these same strides to draw down our carbon and that they become become second nature...and as effortless as remembering to breathe! CONGRATULATIONS, TEAM! You DO make a difference and remember that "knowledge is like paint, it does no good until it is applied! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Carol Newcomb 4/12/2019 7:28 AMI love to ride my bike rather than drive a car when it is possible to do so. I like to look at what’s growing in people’s yards and so the slower pace is perfect for that plus it is much safer :-). It feels good to be under your own pedal power, out in the fresh air and slowing down. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Keep Track of Wasted FoodAn 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?
Carol Newcomb 4/11/2019 7:35 AMI am pretty thrifty in the food department and do not throw much uneaten food away. This EcoChallenge has reminded me of just how much does end up in the trash, though, and to remain vigilant in my shopping habits, don't serve myself too much, and make sure I eat all that is on my plate. It is working! I've only thrown away a stale heal of bread in 2 week. :-) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Smaller PortionsFun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?
Carol Newcomb 4/06/2019 4:01 PMBenefits of eating smaller portions: Lose weight, less waste, less food, don't have to buy so much, less production of food, less groceries to carry in. Cheaper! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric VehicleReducing (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?
Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:54 PMThis EcoChallenge prompted me to trade in my old car for a used Prius Hybrid Electric Plug-In car 5 days ago. I found one for sale close by and did it! I can now charge my new car at home using my own 120 V plug or go to a charging station. I downloaded an App that shows where all the charging stations are locally and in the US. I can now drive 124 miles on a full battery and when the battery gets low, it kicks into hybird mode using both gasoline and battery. So far, I average over 50 miles/gallon. I am not sure why the battery depleted so quickly and am still learning about this system. It's not a Tesla, but I am thrilled to have found this great car for a great price I could afford! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Plant TreesHow is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:42 PMI just planted 2 Soapberry (small) trees that are native to Florida in my yard. I also received a sapling bald cypress tree at a memorial service recently. I have so many trees and other plants growing in my yard, I could not find a place to plant the cypress tree, which will one day be very large. I gave it to my neighbor across the street to plant. They have more room and I can still watch it grow and remember my friend who passed. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy CreditsYour 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?
Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:33 PMI have signed up to become a customer in Florida Power & Light's new community solar program...the largest in the US...called Solar Together. The program will be launching soon. I will be receiving updates about the program and know when it is ready to go live.