EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Paula Ward

Energy Innovation Act(ion) Mid Hudson Valley CCL Team

"A livable world. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,064 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

4.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

2.0

donations

made
UP TO

275

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

person

helped

Paula's actions

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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

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

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

#6 Educating Girls

I will donate 1 Femme Kit(s) to help girls overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 4 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Fund Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

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

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

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.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

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?

Paula Ward 4/24/2019 8:48 PM

This was an awesome learning experience! I never would have tackled the Drawdown book--it was just too technical and dense. This challenge allowed me to learn in small usable and relatable chunks--I learned that I can live more sustainably and that there is still some hope for our world and our civilization.

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!

Paula Ward 4/24/2019 8:22 PM

I knew about burning wood and using corn for energy--neither of these is really carbon neutral, though because of the costs of growing, harvesting, and processing. The best plant materials for biomass are waste from mills and sustainably grown perennial crops. It can reduce heating costs by up to 80%.

I never heard of gasification (instead of combustion) which is actually carbon negative. It puts biochar back into the soil which increases plant growth while decreasing the water needed to grow the crops--beneficial in places like California.

I also learned about several companies in Africa that convert human waste into safe fuel briquettes that burn longer and cleaner than charcoal and are much less expensive to purchase. 1 ton of briquettes saves 88 trees! The "yuck factor" is overcome by the cost savings and efficiency even though they are used mainly in cook stoves. I like the efficiency and beauty of recycling waste!

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?

Paula Ward 4/24/2019 6:48 PM

I would consider geothermal instead of a central A/C but an air source heat pump would probably better meet our needs. I would definitely advocate for US cooperation (financial support) for development of geothermal in lower income nations where geothermal resources are greatest. There is a high upfront investment and risk but operating costs are low--and, there is a huge amount of energy that can be tapped.

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?

Paula Ward 4/24/2019 5:39 PM

First of all, clean and quiet but also, kind of like the space station or a biosphere--where everything is recycled and reused and nothing is ever wasted--or as close to this ideal as possible. Just read about methane digesters and really like this idea. They could greatly benefit farmers, industries, cities, governments, universities, schools, and prisons as well as reduce methane pollution which has 34 times more warming power in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

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?

Paula Ward 4/24/2019 4:41 PM

Central Hudson sends us several "report cards" a year and we always score really low on energy usage (less than 200 KWH/month) compared to our neighbors. We use energy efficient light bulbs, have Energy Star appliances that we use sparingly, and we turn lights off when we leave a room--we don't turn the Internet and connected devices completely off when we're not using them, though--just takes too long to boot up several times a day--maybe someday we'll do better with this. We just changed our energy provider to CleanChoice Energy www.cleanchoiceenergy.com and chose the 99% wind/1% solar plan which should save 3,477# of carbon emissions per year!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Buy Bamboo

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

Paula Ward 4/20/2019 3:18 PM

I just bought bamboo paper towels on Amazon--they are washable and 1 roll is advertised to last up to 6 months. I haven't looked locally for bamboo products but am pretty sure at least the natural foods stores carry them--will be looking for them now that I know about them. I have been using bathroom and facial tissues made from recycled paper (usually Marcal brand) which is more readily available in grocery stores but will consider bamboo next time--especially for tissues.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Research Heat Pumps

Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?

Paula Ward 4/20/2019 3:05 PM

I love the natural world and want it to last. We all need clean air and clean water. Plus, climate change is scary and a real threat to the survival of humanity and most living things--we all have to do our part.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Social Justice Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

In what other ways could you help girls overcome health barriers to being able to attend school?

Paula Ward 4/20/2019 12:54 PM

I can help by sharing on social media about the barriers faced by girls in other countries (and even here in the US), by letting my US Representative and Senators know that this is an important issue to me, and by learning more about what programs are most effective so that I can support them.

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?

Paula Ward 4/20/2019 12:15 PM

I test drove a couple of Priuses and when they were in all electric mode, I felt so much cleaner and quieter going down the road--it was really enjoyable. Also, I've read that all electric vehicles have fewer moving parts so there are fewer repair bills--a big plus. Still a lot more research to do before deciding what my next car will be.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Paula Ward 4/09/2019 4:23 PM

That plastic is so ubiquitous that even when I shop carefully, it still ends up coming home with me and now that very little plastic is being accepted for recycling, I want to even more drastically reduce--especially single-use plastics. Researched compostable (not the same as biodegradable) bioplastic single-use items made of PLA and found BioBag food, trash, and pet waste bags on Amazon. Couldn't find plastic wrap so will buy beeswax wraps instead.

Read More
- Rosemary Bakker 4/10/2019 6:04 AM
  
  I am testing out non-plastic covers for food and will let you know what I think - should receive them tomorrow. I feel the same way you do about plastics. Trying to reduce usage
  but not sure what products to do that with.
  
  Read More
- Anne Brueckner 4/09/2019 7:14 PM
  
  Thanks for the tip on BioBag. I find the plastics issue very challenging.
  
  Read More