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April 3 - April 24, 2019
Carol Newcomb's avatar

Carol Newcomb

FGCU Climate Change Heroes

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 996 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    10
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    8.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    165
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    930
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    2.0
    trees
    planted

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Purchase a Carbon Offset

#43 Airplanes

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Conduct Virtual Meetings

#63 Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 50 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Plant Trees

#15 Afforestation

I will plant 2 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 50 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

UNCOMPLETED
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?


  • Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/24/2019 12:49 PM
    I 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 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?

    Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/12/2019 7:28 AM
    I 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 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?

    Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/11/2019 7:35 AM
    I 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 QUESTION
    Food Smaller Portions
    Fun 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's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/06/2019 4:01 PM
    Benefits 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 QUESTION
    Transport Research 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?

    Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:54 PM
    This 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 QUESTION
    Land Use Plant Trees
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:42 PM
    I 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 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?

    Carol Newcomb's avatar
    Carol Newcomb 4/03/2019 6:33 PM
    I 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.