EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Debbie Stevens

Anaconda Earth Warriors

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,081 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

288

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

8.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

16

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

165

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

2.0

trees

planted

Debbie's actions

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 15 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

#5 Tropical Forests

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Restore Wetlands

#52 Coastal Wetlands

I will volunteer 8 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Land Use

Advocate for Forest Protection

#38 Forest Protection

I will contact 2 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Choose Better Wood Products

#38 Forest Protection

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Local Perennial Biomass

#51 Perennial Biomass

I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

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

Materials

Fix Leaky Faucets

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Debbie Stevens 4/24/2019 5:57 PM

Challenge went well today. Went for a walk with the dogs and spent one hour digging in the garden. Getting ready to plant and mulch.

Read More
Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 5:06 PM

One day left. But even after the challenge I will continue with what we have learned and challenged ourselves

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 2

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 5:03 PM

Not hard. With the internet it is easier to find the products to make the difference.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Learn about Temperate Forests

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 5:02 PM

Plastic and pollution. Recycle, reuse, repurposed. Find was to use less and create more

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Local Perennial Biomass

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?

Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 5:01 PM

Water quality and availability. Affecting every thing and everyone down stream. Birds are a great indicator of a balance environment and what happens to their environment will affect us all.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

What inspiration and wisdom can you gather from your family, faith, or community traditions that would help you in both communicating about and addressing our most pressing energy issues?

Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 4:58 PM

I think we all need to work together and really look at the cost and carefully consider the real pros and cons. Carefully analyze the true results making sure to include the all species and the circle of life.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?

Debbie Stevens 4/23/2019 4:54 PM

I’m seriously considering installing geothermal when I purchase my next home.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Restore Wetlands

How do wetlands differ from other ecosystems -- both in the services they offer and in your personal experience of them?

Debbie Stevens 4/20/2019 6:24 AM

Researching and hunting for organizations in the coastal bend to volunteer.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?

Debbie Stevens 4/14/2019 5:03 AM

We are creating a pathway from the house to the garage, mulching the garden and trees today.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Fix Leaky Faucets

What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?

Debbie Stevens 4/14/2019 5:01 AM

Tightened up the kitchen faucet

Read More