Holly Kang
4/24/2019 1:15 PM
Holly Kang
"get points"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 891 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO132minutesspent learning
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UP TO840minutesspent exercising
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UP TO10meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Holly'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.
Food
Keep Track of Wasted Food
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the EcoChallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.
Transport
Use Muscle Power
#49 Cars
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Buildings and Cities
Go for a Daily Walk
#54 Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Materials
Research Cement Alternatives
#36 Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 7 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Transport
Explore Other Transport Solutions
All Transport Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.
Food
Explore Other Food Solutions
All Food Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.
Food
Learn More about Silvopasture
#9 Silvopasture
I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
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).
Buildings and Cities
Research Retrofitting Incentives
#80 Retrofitting
I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.
Land Use
Local Perennial Biomass
#51 Perennial Biomass
I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
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.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Electricity Generation
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
Electricity Generation
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
#18 Geothermal
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity GenerationGeothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity GenerationHad you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
Holly Kang 4/24/2019 8:42 AMThe video I watched felt like a bit of a shill for palm oil producers..... although i don't understand enough about palm oil production to distinguish sustainable palm oil production from general forest-clearing palm oil production.
I guess if we're going to produce palm oil, we might as well get multiple uses out of it. And from the industry's standpoint, this is an effective way to greenwash their practices. Conflicting feelings. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodIn 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?
Holly Kang 4/23/2019 2:24 PMIsn't meat hugely subsidized in the US? And there's a perception that a true 'main' must be centered around an animal protein. I think it's pretty consistent with the American cultural attitude that moderation = deprivation. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseHow is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Holly Kang 4/08/2019 2:12 PMI want to see more widespread use of grass straws (instead of paper or metal straws) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseClimate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?
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Holly Kang 4/05/2019 1:59 PMA couple of articles on the impact of rideshare programs on public transit.
A very biased one: https://prospect.org/article/ridesharing-versus-public-transit
An ok one: https://www.curbed.com/2018/5/8/17330846/uber-lyft-mass-transit-bus-transportation
Another one: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/upshot/is-uber-helping-or-hurting-mass-transit.html
Uber's partnerships: https://www.uber.com/community/supporting-cities/transit/?state=mNOSIampBm1qdvhdHies7DYlAle3WyV1yKwtZv-pUFM%3D&_csid=uP5Da3yyuKtQQm_VKq8xYg#_
A study: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/8/1763/pdf
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity GenerationWhat does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
Holly Kang 4/05/2019 1:22 PMIdeally, I would like sustainable practices and eco-friendly actions have simply been normalized into the culture. In addition to individual participation and engagement, this necessitates complete legislative support and infrastructural investment.
I want to compost my food waste, but Cambridge currently doesn't support compost for buildings with over 12 units. I want to walk and take public transit everywhere, but there are parts of even Cambridge that are underserved by transit lines & sidewalks. I want to have insulated windows that close all the way, but there's no requirement to hold my landlord to that, and many window insulation kits come with copious amounts of plastic.
Yes, the consumer has responsibility, but as individuals still operate at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of impact. Diffuse benefits need to be supported at institutional levels. -
Holly Kang 4/05/2019 12:43 PMstole this article from the west side feed:
https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/03/are-americans-doing-laundry-all-wrong/475482/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=citylab&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_medium=social&utm_term=2019-01-02T16%3A24%3A04
and the linked article about the MIT grads' washing machines:
https://www.citylab.com/life/2015/11/how-washing-machines-could-use-a-lot-less-water/416961/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings and CitiesHow can you share what you have learned in your research with others?