EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Ray Cruz Arias

Walgreens Boots Alliance

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
276 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

358

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

12

hours

volunteered

Ray Cruz's actions

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

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

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 179 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Land Use

Restore Wetlands

#52 Coastal Wetlands

I will volunteer 12 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 179 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 199 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Rooftop Solar Consultation

#10 Rooftop Solar

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 199 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 199 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

UNCOMPLETED
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).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Toilet Bank

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day by installing a toilet tank bank.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will research and tell 5 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 199 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 199 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 200 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 1
DAILY 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

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?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/30/2019 8:26 AM
My household has moved to a fixed utilization rates which texts us when we exceed our threshold. Awareness is key to disciplining and making energy utilization consciousness as an importance.

Awareness and acceptance of our energy waste as a society will allow us then to identify actions to resolve some of these wasteful activities.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

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?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/30/2019 8:23 AM
As an engineer, energy conservation and energy initiatives are always a part of our team's discussions. We present our innovative solutions and potential solutions at facetime presentations during the WESN initiatives.

Such initiatives mention better lighting, HVAC efficiencies, and discuss future initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

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?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/30/2019 8:19 AM
I have donated my time and some charitable donations towards the development of renewable geothermal energies, especially with regards to geothermal and tidal energy generation.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:40 AM
Pretty easy once you find an environmentally friendly substitute. Also, just limiting waste of some of these cash crops will drastically impact the need to slash and burn the native forests.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:25 AM
Vast natural habitats have been deforested by the palm and paper plantations. With that, the fragile ecological balance is thrown off balance.

By being environmentally conscious, choosing which products we utilize will impact what farmers will consider to be a cash crop. By reducing the "want" of certain products, we would be able to limit or reduce the need for slash and burn farming.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

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?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:12 AM
The overlapping biomes that touch upon the temperate zones are the most rich, and highly desirable, to humans, vegetation, and most animals, biologically. The impacts of deforestation and misuse of this biotope is extreme and impacts the health of our ecology.

We need to be aware of our impact to the environment and be proactive in restoring and replanting NATIVE species of vegetation as well as restore the biodiversity of these zones.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

Beyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:01 AM
Utilized renewable fast growing cedar wood for my deck which, by sap and cellular arrangements allows for a loner lasting wood product.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 6:59 AM
Bought a bamboo salad bowl and bamboo salad hardware set.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

How do wetlands differ from other ecosystems -- both in the services they offer and in your personal experience of them?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 6:56 AM
Wetlands are the interface between land and a body of water. This ecology is rich with biodiversity and affects the surrounding environment and ecology around it, such as the forests, the body of water, and even the skies above.

I have participated in a mangrove forest restoration project in the gulf coast region, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, as well as the Indian Mangrove forests in Asia. I have also acted as a consultant for these initiatives in regards to water purification and de-fouling polluted water ways utilizing micro-nano bubbles and aerobic bacterial cultures.

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