EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

James Bejarano

NYPA

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,200 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

55

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

99

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

78

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

19

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

James's actions

Women and Girls

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Social Justice

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least 5 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

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

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 5 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

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

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

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
James Bejarano 4/24/2019 1:43 AM
Process was not too difficult. I scheduled a train instead of a plane. I woke up early, and slept on the train. Once we were rolling. I could work with full phone and internet connectivity.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
James Bejarano 4/24/2019 1:39 AM
You can feel helpless and despair, or you can make your own contributions to fighting climate change. Programs like the eco challenge are intended to encourage you and others to avt.

Participate in the programs, reduce your own carbon footprint, call your elected officials, and vote responsibly. Change has to start with you!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

How can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?
James Bejarano 4/23/2019 4:02 AM
I can call my elected officials in an effort to advocate for funding for transportation infrastructure. Trains are a highly efficient mode of transportation. However, the rail infrastructure across the country was developed to ship freight, not people.

High speed express rail can be an alternative to flying and driving. However, the transit time and reliability must be reduced.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
James Bejarano 4/22/2019 4:22 AM
I was surprised that insulating buildings could result in such high reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. As an energy efficiency professional I find that the vast majority of the buildings are insulated. Heating and cooling fresh air that is necessary for building occupants results in greater greenhouse gas emissions.

I generally work on public buildings within my state. Public buildings have more stringent code enforcement than privately owned buildings. I suspect that enforcement of building and energy codes can produce tremendous results.

Ironically, those who have buildings that have buildings that do not meet code have the most to gain financially by making improvements.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

How can you share what you have learned in your research with others?
James Bejarano 4/19/2019 4:14 AM
I researched the availability of incentives for existing buildings in the City of Buffalo. One way I can share what I learned is to share in response to this reflection question.

There are numerous incentives that can be used to renovate existing buildings in the City of Buffalo. Among the organizations that offer incentives for general improvements are the Empire State Development Corporation, Invest Buffalo Niagara, and the Empire State Development Corporation, and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. All of these organizations provide excellent opportunities for revitalizing and reusing old, outdated infrastructure.

More appealing to me personally are incentives offered by NYSERDA, National Grid, and National Fuel. Such incentives provide funds for technical studies and energy efficiency measures. Proper use of funds available through these organizations will provide significant improvements in Buffalo's carbon footprint.

Read More
- Lielle Berman 4/19/2019 7:45 AM
  Thanks for sharing these, James!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?
James Bejarano 4/18/2019 4:25 AM
Consensus among climate science indicates that global climate change is real and exacerbated by our growing civilization. I may not be around to experience the most severe consequences from climate change. However, my daughters and grand daughter may live in a world with geography and climate that is foreign to me.

Notwithstanding the well being of my descendants, I loathing to contemplate the likelihood of the fall of humanity. A system that is not sustainable is doomed to fall.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Fun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?
James Bejarano 4/17/2019 4:26 AM
Smaller portions of food will help reduce waste and waists. Serving a smaller portion will reduce the gastrointestinal consequences of "cleaning your plate" as our moms taught us. Stopping when full can lead to the consumption of fewer calories, which can result in weight loss for some and improved health for most.

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?
James Bejarano 4/15/2019 4:35 AM
Besides concrete, other everyday materials that might have a high carbon footprint include glass, steel, and plastics. Wood can have a high carbon footprint if it is not harvested in a sustainable process.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
James Bejarano 4/14/2019 6:49 AM
The transportation sector generates nearly a quarter of greenhouse gasses globally. We have the technology to make great reductions in emissions, but we don’t appear to the political will to mainstream these technologies

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?
James Bejarano 4/13/2019 5:36 AM
Other easy and low cost ways to reduce water usage at home include not leaving water running when you brush your teeth, taking less-than five minute shower, turning water while lathering when you wash your hands, and install low-flow shower heads.

Read More