April 3 - April 24, 2019

Kate Berreth

"I joined the challenge so that I could make a difference through learning about the environment and the small things I can do to help."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
601 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

18

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

60

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

60

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

180

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

11

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

89

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

12

zero-waste meals

consumed

Kate's actions

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Plan to Insulate

#31 Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 6 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 6 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 6 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

UNCOMPLETED
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Public Transit

#37 Mass Transit

I will use public transit 10 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 1.64 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 6 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

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

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
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Kate Berreth 4/24/2019 2:57 PM

I hadn't heard of silvopasture before. I think the biggest advantage is that it prevents deforestation. Instead of cutting down trees to make fields for grazing space, the trees are the area for grazing. I would imagine that it would also be a much nicer place for the cows and chickens that live there.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Plan to Insulate

What are some of the benefits of making your home more energy efficient?

Kate Berreth 4/24/2019 2:56 PM

By making your home more energy efficient, you will save money! It is also much better for the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Social Justice Express My Support

How could better walking infrastructure make your city both more enjoyable and more equitable?

Kate Berreth 4/24/2019 2:55 PM

Walking infrastructure would make it much more likely for people to regularly take walks. It allows people to enjoy nature as well as safely get from one place to another without having to drive and produce CO2 emissions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use Learn about Temperate Forests

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?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 7:13 PM

I am overwhelmed by the massive scope of the issue and how quickly our environment is changing. However, I am hopeful because of how many people are invested in learning and helping our environment.

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?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 7:05 PM

More fuel-efficient vehicles save a lot of time and money. You don't have to spend so much on gas and go as frequently.

Read More
Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 7:04 PM

A good website to learn about the carbon footprint of your everyday items is: https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/carbon-footprint-of-common-everyday-things-products-foods/

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Research Cement Alternatives

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?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 7:04 PM

The biggest thing that most people know has a big carbon footprint is cars. Electric cars are much better for the environment, and more people should look into getting them. Food also has a large carbon footprint. Something I didn't know is that meat eaters have a higher footprint than other people.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 7:02 PM

I didn't realize that there was a difference between tidal and wave energy, so I'm glad I was able to learn about that. I was surprised by the potential energy that could be harnessed, especially from wave energy. Just 1/4 of the incidental wave energy could produce as much energy as the entire US hydropower system.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 9:34 AM

All of this waste motivates me to change my behavior. What motivates me the most are resources that I directly contribute to like food and energy waste from my own house.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Zero-waste Cooking

How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

Kate Berreth 4/23/2019 9:32 AM

These issues are human issues because they impact all of our health. These emissions severely negatively impact the air quality, which can contribute to respiratory and other problems.

Read More