EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Nicholina O'Donnell

WSP USA

"Finding focus"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
454 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

65

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

person

helped
UP TO

10

zero-waste meals

consumed

Nicholina's actions

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 20 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 10 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Action Track: Social Justice

Give a Microloan

#62 Women Smallholders

I will give 1 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Improve a Bus Stop

#37 Mass Transit

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

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?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/24/2019 7:00 PM

Alright! Knocked out a few last minute learning objectives and even finally tried out doing a microloan.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Research Peatlands

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/24/2019 6:57 PM

This is an interesting question that wasn't strongly addressed by the video I watched, which talked about European peatlands. It sounds like, to protect the Indonesian peatlands, you should avoid using palm oil and reducing paper usage (both of which are also beneficial to forests, which, while not as impactful as protecting peatlands, is still important).

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/24/2019 6:54 PM

I had not heard the term "silvopasture" before now. I'd say there isn't just one biggest advantage of silvopasture. It seems the system benefits both the trees and the livestock. One of the ways that happens, at least with apple trees and pigs, is that the pigs eat the apples that fall early due to being infected with insects. The pigs eat the larvae along with the apples, which prevents a second infestation.

Read More
Nicholina O'Donnell 4/24/2019 8:19 AM

Last day check in. Go team!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/23/2019 2:01 PM

This is a large question. Creating a sustainable community requires a multi-pronged approach. Some of the vital issues seem to include walkable/bikeable communities with effective mutliperson transit for longer distances, generally consuming less and, what this video touched on, separating and making use of the parts of waste we do create that are usable.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Social Justice Give a Microloan

Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. Why do you think that is?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/23/2019 1:47 PM

I'm not sure that answering the question why is particularly useful. Perhaps it's better to just know it's the case and act accordingly when looking to make an investment oneself.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Zero-waste Cooking

How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/23/2019 1:27 PM

Is it just me or does this reflection question not really reflect the no waste cooking challenge? I think maybe this one was mismatched.

I usually choose this challenge when we do EcoChallenges because I just don't always pay attention to trying to do no waste cooking in daily life. However, with a bit of effort, it is one I can do. I haven't hit it every day, but I have most days. It's something that, perhaps this time, the challenge will be to carry it forward past this push.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? Share some of the learning with your friends!

Nicholina O'Donnell 4/23/2019 1:24 PM

I'm not sure I really learned anything new about family planning by exploring this topic at this time, but it was good reinforcement of ideas I already held.

Read More
Nicholina O'Donnell 4/23/2019 1:23 PM

This has not been my best Ecochallenge by far, but good job to those of you who've been really killing it!

Read More
- Sue Beam 4/23/2019 1:37 PM
  
  One more day to go! We can all still help!
  
  Read More
Nicholina O'Donnell 4/05/2019 10:33 AM

Opps. I forgot to check in yesterday. It'll be a habit to develop.

Read More