EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Susan Dawson

PAE Engineers

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
740 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

180

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

85

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

90

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

25

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

180

miles

not traveled by car

Susan's actions

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Go Paperless

#70 Recycled Paper

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.

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

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Public Transit

#37 Mass Transit

I will use public transit 30 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 4.14 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Connect With A Nonprofit

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

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on womens' or girls' issues in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail

#66 High-Speed Rail

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

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

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

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 5 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Use

Learn about Temperate Forests

#12 Temperate Forests

I will spend at least 5 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 5 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

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

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 5:30 PM
People. Thriving healthy communities. Passing on knowledge and skill.

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?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 5:14 PM
The loss of forests and peatlands as CO2 sinks is overwhelming - they take so long to grow and restore themselves even after efforts are started. Getting corporations to see the long-term benefits over short-term profits seems daunting. I feel like I have very little power to change industries to the extent required. It is do-able, though, and could greatly benefit the upcoming generations especially.

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?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 4:57 PM
Check labels to eliminate non-sustainable palm oil production, look for recycled and locally sourced paper products.

Read More
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:59 AM
Had a slow start, and an okay finish. Making time for the research and lifestyle changes I wanted to do during a busy, multiple deadline month has been difficult. However, it has gotten me to think more regularly about what I'm doing and what I can do.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:56 AM
I had never heard of this before...at least that word. It complements permaculture and biodiversity. There are so many advantages and no real disadvantages besides the cost to plant trees in pastures, it's hard to decide on a "biggest/best" advantage. If we are helping keep CO2 in the ground and in trees, if we are giving animals shelter from hot sun and wind, if we are helping to keep rain and moisture in the ground, if we are helping nature return to balance and diversity, why would we not do this??

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?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:40 AM
No longer using a finite non-renewable resource or supporting an industry I do not agree with, long term financial savings, noise pollution.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

What are the factors that influence your choice of transportation? These can include things like money, time, and convenience, as well as perceptions of danger or safety. What would need to change for you to regularly choose more climate-friendly options?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:37 AM
I would choose to travel by passenger train if it were faster, more affordable, and had it's own dedicated tracks and didn't share some with freight trains. I like the advantage of walking around and getting out of my seat and having scenery to enjoy over flying or even driving a car.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:27 AM
Commercially produced organic is not the same as being sustainable or completely helping to improve the environment. It is a piece of the puzzle, but mass production and One of the best tests to determine if food is still good is to smell it. Checking dates doesn't guarantee anything.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:21 AM
TriMet has a plan to move completely towards electric vehicles in their fleet of buses. Braking helps recharge the batteries.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls

What are the most pressing issues for women and girls in your community?
Susan Dawson 4/24/2019 8:19 AM
Equal opportunity for learning any job or skill previously considered men's territory. Equal voice in meetings and decision-making in every sector of business and society and reproductive health.

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