John O'Donnell
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 626 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO10meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO175minutesspent learning
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UP TO10plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO163pounds of CO2have been saved
John's actions
Transport
Explore Other Transport Solutions
All Transport Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.
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.
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).
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Electricity Generation
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
#18 Geothermal
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
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).
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
#29 Wave and Tidal
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
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.
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.
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.
Materials
Choose Recycled Paper
#70 Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Materials
Research Cement Alternatives
#36 Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 30 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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REFLECTION QUESTIONMaterials Eliminate Toxic PlasticsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
John O'Donnell 4/25/2019 2:05 PMI use way too many plastic bags. Reusable bags would be a good alternative. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Learn More about BiomassHad you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
John O'Donnell 4/25/2019 2:03 PMI had heard about biomass before this challenge, specifically how algae is an emerging biomass energy source. However, I was surprised to learn that biomass is the largest renewable energy implemented in Europe! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsIn 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?
John O'Donnell 4/25/2019 2:01 PMFor some reason, Americans tend to associate eating meat with wealth and status. Steak seems to be a favorite of the wealthy, and Americans want to emulate this. It is sad to see the amount of land that is wasted on beef production, especially when considering how the land could be used for renewable energy generation. -
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?
John O'Donnell 4/25/2019 1:58 PMI've been losing weight since late 2017, so this was a natural transition for me. I'm currently up to 55 pounds lost and counting! Eating smaller portions keeps the mind more alert and active, reducing the feeling of sluggishness that is all too common after eating a bunch. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane DigestersWhat does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
John O'Donnell 4/18/2019 10:56 AMA sustainable community should make no carbon footprint. Any carbon that is generated should be sequestered in some way. We obviously need to move away from fossil fuels to make this happen, but there needs to be an overall lifestyle change in America before this can happen. We need to look at reducing our carbon footprint as more than a necessity. It is a choice to be better.