Skip to main content

Modal Title

Modal Description

Welcome to Drawdown EcoChallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Drawdown EcoChallenge expert in no time!

EcoChallenge.org
Drawdown EcoChallenge
April 3 - April 24, 2019
Brandon V's avatar

Brandon V

USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 347 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    1.0
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    10
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    85
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved

Brandon's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 5 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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).

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 1
DAILY 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

Food

Support Local Food Systems

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will source 1 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Stay on the Ground
    What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/23/2019 6:45 PM
    Instead of flying to Chicago I decided to take the train.  Not only will it be cheaper, but it will allow me to work while I'm traveling so I don't have to take a day off work.  While I will have to wake up extra early, I'll get to Chicago earlier than I would have originally. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Support Local Food Systems
    Dependable fresh food, supporting local farmers and building resilient communities are just a few benefits of local food systems. Which of these (or other) advantages inspire you the most?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/23/2019 6:42 PM
    Supporting local farmers is an important factor of why I purchase local food.  For example, by purchasing local honey I am helping a local business with a product i would be purchasing.  Plus it helps me to lower my sensitivity to allergens.  This brings bees to my community and helps other plants and vegetables too. 
    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?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/15/2019 4:47 PM
    If you put in simple terms how people are impacted by excess energy usage, people are able to think reflectively about what I just discussed.   I believe a lot of people are driven by $ and if we can add benefits for people to how they can save $ they relate more.  But then connecting it back to a social and environmental issue really motivates them to seal the deal. 
    Read More
  • 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?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/15/2019 4:45 PM
    I have been monitoring my electricity usage through Ameren for awhile, but recently I started to see a decline in my YTD annual usage.  Last year during Earth Day I went around my house and took note of each bulb that could be replaced.  Throughout the next month I replaced each of these bulbs (ones I always forget are there).  I also took note of how I could reduce my energy during the winter, my answer was to plug up any windows/fireplace not 100% secured.  I've been seeing steady declines every since. 
    Read More
  • Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/09/2019 6:41 PM
    With spring in the air, its easy to get out and enjoy the weather and renew my sustainability practices.  While my compost bin was full, this past weekend I was able to clean it out and start composting again!
    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?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/09/2019 6:38 PM
    Food waste is a big concern of mine, especially living with a chef.  While we love cooking, I am always concerned about utilizing all the food we cook.  Ways I ensure we use all the food prepared is by a) sorting food right away to freeze for later b) giving food away to friends and family 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Reduce Animal Products
    In 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?
    Brandon V's avatar
    Brandon V 4/09/2019 6:34 PM
    There is a social stigma around eating meat.   The government's campaign was focused on a) meat, b) veg c) starch, so people are trained to always include these, while they should be focused on eating protein from various sources instead.   If we can change our culture to be more accepting, we can include a variety of food options for people. 
    Read More