EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Alia Oradei

Spring 2019 HON 190

"Try to make my day a little greener, one step at a time."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
872 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

donations

made
UP TO

1,320

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

100

minutes

spent learning

Alia's actions

Women and Girls

Fund Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY 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

Action Track: Social Justice

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

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?

Alia Oradei 4/25/2019 2:54 PM

I learned that we don't have to do much to make a difference, and that many people are going above and beyond. It was a fun experience and I will take what I've learned with me.

Read More
Alia Oradei 4/24/2019 6:56 AM

When you're at the last day of the challenge and still have 2 more one-time challenges you can use!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Alia Oradei 4/23/2019 8:38 PM

I can't say I feel despair or fear as it seems just so far away. My more immediate concern is what will affect us in the near future, the possible super storms and the endangerment of many species. So whenever I seem to feel overwhelmed by the subject, I remind myself that there are many projects underway to prevent this, such as renewable energy and mass grove plantings.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Fund Family Planning

When family planning focuses on healthcare provision and meeting the expressed needs of women, it results in empowerment, equality, and well-being, and the benefits to the planet are side effects. Why is family planning an important civil rights consideration?

Alia Oradei 4/22/2019 3:14 PM

It helps people know they have options and access to services and people who can help them understand and plan for the future. Starting a family is a very important process and usually takes months and years of planning, yet for some people the choice can happen suddenly, and it should be a civil right to have the option and the piece of mind to know that you can and will get help should life get out of hand.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Biomass

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!

Alia Oradei 4/22/2019 3:11 PM

I hadn't heard of biomass technology before and it seems like a great idea!!! Not only would this be an easy way to create more energy, it would reduce the amount of waste around the globe. This is the most extreme example of recycling I've ever seen, and I can't wait for it to spread worldwide!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Recycle Everything I Can

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

Alia Oradei 4/17/2019 3:41 PM

I do this daily at my dorm, at home, and around campus if I see trash on the ground that can be recycled

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Buy Bamboo

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

Alia Oradei 4/17/2019 3:40 PM

I do this at home!! We have been using bamboo products at home to replace paper, such as bamboo toilet paper and coffee filters. The coffee filters are fantastic and the toilet paper is cheap which is good for a family of six.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Alia Oradei 4/12/2019 11:30 AM

Water. This is a finite resource that will eventually run out if we aren't careful, and are used in a multitude of different markets and societies. If we continue to waste water, used to create energy, make food, clean ourselves, objects, and homes, grow food, and generally stay alive we will be in for a very bleak future.

Read More
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?

Alia Oradei 4/12/2019 11:25 AM

I would switch for the cost saving benefits. Having a hybrid car decreases the cost of gas I have to pay in a month, and lets me save my money for other things, such as college debt. Sadly with my current job and student career, a hybrid car is not in my near future.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Social Justice Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

Indigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?

Alia Oradei 4/09/2019 2:55 PM

You have to balance what to use and were to use it. Sharing resources is important, but to effectively share and conserve resources we need to find where it's needed and send it equally. I know that there is already inequality when it comes to resources, how some countries waste because they have too much while others desperately need food, water, shelter, and other necessities, so I want to help in whatever way I can.

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