EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Michael Conlan

ARROWSTREET EAST & SOUTH

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,064 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

560

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

20

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

30

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

13

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

376

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

0.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

560

miles

not traveled by car

Michael's actions

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

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 2 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 0 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Public Transit

#37 Mass Transit

I will use public transit 80 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 3.92 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 2 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Research Heat Pumps

#42 Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 2 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 2 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 2 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 2 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

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 2 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 2 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 2 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 2 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 2 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Materials

Choose Recycled Paper

#70 Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

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 did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 7:02 AM
It is interesting that telecommuting is being used more and more, and is becoming supported in business as a good alternative

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

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?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 7:00 AM
I'm interested in lower costs for fuel

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:58 AM
I don't really give it much thought daily.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:55 AM
reusing paper as scrap for notes, etc

Read More
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?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:54 AM
I don't use palm oil and avoid products with it as much as I can.

Read More
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?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:52 AM
I don't think about what we are preserving or gaining, but what cultural and historical changes are being made.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:50 AM
Silvopasturing is a strategy that still allows non-vegetarians an option

Read More
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:40 AM
Gave this a shot to see what it is about

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:37 AM
Using GoToMeeting, live video, and conference calling, the day was more efficient without having to spend time in airport delays, and I was able to bill less to the project.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

How has your access to various kinds of transporation throughout your life influenced your current attitudes about transportation and your transportation behavior?
Michael Conlan 4/24/2019 6:36 AM
By taking public transportation, I can rest, read, or catch up on work during the time I used to drive, which gives me more time back in my day.

Read More