EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Amber Escobedo

Technology Services

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,138 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

395

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

510

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

19

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Amber's actions

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

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 60 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Solar Water Consultation

#41 Solar Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Explore Other Electricity Generation Solutions

All Electricity Generation Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Generation Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Micro Wind

#76 Micro Wind

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

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

Land Use

Local Perennial Biomass

#51 Perennial Biomass

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

COMPLETED
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 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Replace Manual Thermostats

#57 Smart Thermostats

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

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

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 4:12 PM
My vision of a sustainable community includes people working together not against each other for the common good of the people and community. We would have to identify strengths among community members, let the experts in each area make the recommendations, and work amicably to create the most sustainable environment possible. The biggest change needed that I can see in our current city is the overwhelming increase in development. The current rate of development could potentially make it difficult to successfully raise livestock and crops to sustain us in the future.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 4:08 PM
Prior to this challenge I had heard of biomass technology, but was not aware of all of the different types. That you hear the term biomass technology or biomass as an energy source like it is something new. The reality is that we have been using is for quite some time. Wood to create fires to heat ourselves and homes or ethanol in our lamps to light our way.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

What is the most exciting solution you explored? Why is it exciting to you?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 4:00 PM
I found the Wave and Tidal energy to be the most exciting because I learned so much when researching it. It is also in infancy so we still don't know what all of the possibilities and potential could be. However, with that being said the cost projections are grim. The cost to implement is projected at $412 billion, with net losses of $1 trillion over the next three decades. The projected outcome would be that wave and tidal energy would grow from .0004% of global electricity production to .28% by 2050. Thus, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 9.2 gigatons over the next three decades.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:52 PM
In Denver, we could potentially install micro turbines on large structures such as the convention center, the Pepsi Center, maybe even the Webb Building?

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:48 PM
I learned that by the tides changing, the movement of water is a natural form of kinetic energy. The most surprising information that I read is "by using the power of the tides, energy is produced from the gravitational pull from both the moon and the sun, which pulls water upwards, while the Earth's rotational and gravitational power pulls water down, thus creating high and low tides (Riding the Renewable Wave: Tidal Energy Advantages and Disadvantages, Husseini, Talal 26 October 2018)."

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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?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:42 PM
Before participating in the Eco Challenge, I had not heard the term "silvopasture". Because I am an animal lover I think that the biggest advantages to silvopasture is that the trees create a sheltered microclimate to shelter the animals from heat and cold. Also, by creating a more biologically divers environment additional wildlife and their habitat can be created.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:34 PM
If we continue to lose fertile soil, indigenous seeds, and knowledge we may be threatening our future ability to survive and feed ourselves.

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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?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:25 PM
I think that asphalt, transportation, industry manufacturing process, energy creation and consumption, as well as agricultural process have large footprints that are not always obvious. You can learn more on how daily processes and material affect our environment with their carbon footprints by reading information on websites like the ones listed below.
https://www.livescience.com/13835-carbon-footprint-daily-activities.html
http://theconversation.com/the-hidden-carbon-cost-of-everyday-products-96745
https://www.activesustainability.com/sustainable-life/the-carbon-footprint-of-everyday-objects/

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls

What did you learn about the need for family planning? Share some of the learning with your friends!
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 3:09 PM
I learned that there are so many reasons and benefits that family planning is needed. It empowers people and enhances education. It lets families make more informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Some benefits include: preventing pregnancy-related health risks in women, reducing infant mortality,
helping to prevent HIV/AIDS, reducing adolescent pregnancies, and helping to control population growth in order to prevent negative impacts on the economy, environment, and development efforts.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Diversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?
Amber Escobedo 4/24/2019 2:51 PM
Another motivator for me is to use alternative energy. I also like the idea of having this type of water heater in our home in case there is an emergency that might affect our power sources.

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