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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
Erick Alsvig's avatar

Erick Alsvig

Walgreens Boots Alliance

""A Force For Good""

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,135 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    20
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    335
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    45
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    20
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed

Erick's actions

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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 120 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Plant Trees

#15 Afforestation

I will plant 4 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 10 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Go Paperless

#70 Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Choose LED Bulbs

#33 LED Lighting (Household)

I will replace 20 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Conduct Virtual Meetings

#63 Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Solar Water Consultation

#41 Solar Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

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

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
    Electricity Generation
    What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/14/2019 2:36 PM
    More education around the topic has to be a good start.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/14/2019 2:35 PM
    Doing an assessment of our home to see what else can be done.

    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities
    What are your next steps for saving energy?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/14/2019 2:34 PM
    Better insulation, use thermostat to cycle on times of day, use of LED, lower temp on water heater.
    Read More
  • Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/13/2019 2:13 PM
    Going well and getting others involved!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use
    Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/08/2019 9:47 AM
    This is something I would not have thought of without this challenge, but I bought a bamboo cutting board instead of a regular wood one.  Small, but an impactful alternative decision.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials
    Concrete is a good example of a material that most of us encounter every day, but may its carbon footprint is not obvious. What other everyday materials might have a large carbon footprint? How can you find out more?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/08/2019 9:38 AM
    Super interesting article.  Who would have thought that concrete produces 5% of the total carbon footprint.  It makes sense since it is the 2nd most used resource only to water.

    https://qz.com/1314754/engineers-have-created-a-cement-alternative-to-reduce-concretes-carbon-footprint/
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials
    What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?
    Erick Alsvig's avatar
    Erick Alsvig 4/08/2019 9:18 AM
    This is an easy one that can really make an impact.  Follow water/sprinkler restrictions when put in place by the city.  Make sure to be diligent with turning off the water when brushing teeth.  How long do you need to warm-up the shower before getting in?  Check the settings on the dishwasher and washing machine to see if they have an eco-friendly option on them.
    Read More