EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Leslie Graham

SUNY New Paltz

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
743 Total

Participant Impact

up to

20

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
up to

60

miles

not traveled by car
up to

60

miles

traveled by carpool
up to

72

pounds of CO2

have been saved
up to

200

minutes

spent exercising
up to

25

minutes

spent learning

Leslie's Actions

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

Completed
One-Time Action

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

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

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

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

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

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Try Carpooling

#75 Ridesharing

I will commute by carpool 3 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

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

Completed
One-Time Action

Feed

Reflection Question
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Leslie Graham 4/12/2019 10:53 AM

I am a coffee lover myself and had no idea that it was contributing to deforestation. I recently have been trying to switch to tea due to the health benefits. After looking into the coffee industry more, my motivation for switching to tea has increased a lot.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Leslie Graham 4/12/2019 10:49 AM

Using plastic for peoples' homes was so innovative. It is a genius idea that other countries should look into. I also thought the vertical planting was interesting, the floating plant homes was a really good technique.

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Reflection Question
Food Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?

Leslie Graham 4/10/2019 9:51 AM

Reading the articles a lot of farmer benefits is that it is cheaper. Farming is expensive, the equipment needed, the keep of it and having to repurchase it after so many years adds up. If farmers are able to save money on growing their crops in turn it should lower the price of the produce. This might draw people towards eating more fruits and vegetables. Eating more fruits and vegetables will help people become healthier and help lower the obesity incline that is in the USA.

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Reflection Question
Food Explore Other Food Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Leslie Graham 4/10/2019 9:45 AM

The one thing that sticks out to me is food waste. I personally have witnessed a lot of food waste working at a deli. There is fresh produce (grown locally) so it goes bad quickly or is underneath something and overlooked. That is one small action all produce owners are able to help cut back on. It is always possible to go to the store and buy more opposed to over buying. This one simple step is able to decrease food waste.

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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?

Leslie Graham 4/10/2019 9:39 AM

I have never heard of "silvopasture' before reading these articles. I think the biggest advantage of silvopasture is growing biodiversity within the area. So many habitats have moved or decreased in population because of human impact. If America is able to even slightly reverse these damages it could be beneficial for their area and maybe others will start to do the same.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Online Energy Audit

What are your next steps for saving energy?

Leslie Graham 4/08/2019 9:12 AM

I need to talk to my housemates about leaving lights on. I am pretty good about turning lights off when I leave rooms; but one housemate in particular leaves multiple lights on for her dog. This could both save energy and save our electric bill.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Leslie Graham 4/08/2019 9:10 AM

While walking I am noticing a lot of animals very close to the edge line. My house is located in a neighborhood that took over animals homes. They still live and go about their days but it is obvious they do not like the change. I have enjoyed getting fresh air before or after dinner, feeling better when going to bed. Some buildings I pass on my walk are an eye sore. If they were renovated it would be much more pleasing to the eye.

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Reflection Question
Materials Recycle Everything I Can

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

Leslie Graham 4/05/2019 7:40 AM

I tend to use my plastic bags multiple times which I feel helps reduce the waste or using it once and throwing it away. I also (try to remember to) use my reusable shopping bags when going to the grocery store. I personally like them better than the plastic ones because they are more sturdy and last longer. I think trying to be better about reusing and repurposing will help me become a little more creative.

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Reflection Question
Food Smaller Portions

Fun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?

Leslie Graham 4/05/2019 7:33 AM

I will split meals when I go out with my boyfriend, the portion sizes in America are giant. It usually the perfect size when splitting a meal. If I were to not eat my entire meal, I would usually take it home or have it thrown away because it is not enough for another meal. By splitting, we eat all of the food given and we are perfectly satisfied. I will not overeat causing me to be sluggish and bloated.

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Reflection Question
Food Reduce Animal Products

In your opinion, what contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other countries? What does this say about North American values and ways of living?

Leslie Graham 4/05/2019 7:31 AM

North America eats a lot of meat because they think meat is the only source of protein. If you asked someone why they should eat meat instead of beans, they would say meat has more protein. Meat is also very tasty, which explains why people continue to eat it. The values of North America is very selfish, people should just cut back their meat intake. It is proven that it will slow the rate of climate change.

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