Awareness and acceptance of our energy waste as a society will allow us then to identify actions to resolve some of these wasteful activities.
Ray Cruz Arias
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 276 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO12hoursvolunteered
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UP TO358minutesspent learning
Ray Cruz's 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.
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.
Electricity Generation
Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions
All Electricity Generation Solutions
I will spend at least 199 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 199 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Land Use
Restore Wetlands
#52 Coastal Wetlands
I will volunteer 12 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.
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.
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
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.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy CreditsYour 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 AMMy 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Spread the Word about Energy AlternativesWhat 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 AMAs 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Generation Learn More About Geothermal EnergyGeothermal 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 AMI have donated my time and some charitable donations towards the development of renewable geothermal energies, especially with regards to geothermal and tidal energy generation. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Forest-Friendly Foods 2How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:40 AMPretty 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Research PeatlandsMuch 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 AMVast 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Learn about Temperate ForestsAs 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 AMThe 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Choose Better Wood ProductsBeyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?
Ray Cruz Arias 4/22/2019 7:01 AMUtilized renewable fast growing cedar wood for my deck which, by sap and cellular arrangements allows for a loner lasting wood product. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Buy BambooAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Restore WetlandsHow 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 AMWetlands 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.