Samantha Colasardo

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

I will source 25 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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

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

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.

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.

I will spend at least 32 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will volunteer 3 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.