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April 3 - April 24, 2019
Wanda Knapik's avatar

Wanda Knapik

Seton Hall University

"Inspire humanity to respect and care for Mother Earth."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 3,156 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    52
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    375
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    174
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    3.0
    trees
    planted

Wanda's actions

Land Use

Plant Trees

#15 Afforestation

I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

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

Action Track: Social Justice

Make School More Affordable

#6 Educating Girls

I will raise funds to help make school affordable for girls around the world.

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

Land Use

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will donate to The Nature Conservancy, which works with Indigenous Peoples to secure land tenure and resource rights, support improved governance and local institutions, assist in natural resource mapping, planning and management; and strengthen livelihoods and sustainable economic development.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Test Drive an Electric Bike

#69 Electric Bikes

I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.

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

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

Electricity Generation

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 90 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Support Local Food Systems

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will source 50 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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?


  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/24/2019 8:20 AM
    Thank you Drawdown Team and NW Earth Institute for inspiring us! 

    Planting seeds in our campus garden yesterday.  Organic vegetable and herb seeds going in the Earth to celebrate Earth Day Every Day (carrots, spinach, dill, parsley, collards, swiss chard), seeing our flowers and fruit trees bloom!  Students learning about how to grow food using organic and biodynamic practices and permaculture principles.



  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Improve a Bus Stop
    How can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?

    Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/23/2019 12:30 PM
    I support research on solar-powered airplanes.  This company has the prototype working:  https://www.solar-flight.com/
    We need to figure out how to stop using fossil fuels NOW.  Not someday.  TODAY.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use Plant Trees
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/22/2019 3:39 PM
    I planted 3 fig trees in my community garden today.  Gardening and planting trees are better than going to the gym for physical exercise. Breathing fresh air and having your hands in the earth are good for your mental, physical and spiritual health.  Being present to the astonishing beauty and abundance of this Earth, that's what I did today, focused on being present. Deep gratitude for all the microbiology in the soil, for all the pollinators, for all the plants and trees and birds and bees.

  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/19/2019 11:11 AM
    Outside in nature this weekend, taking a break from my computer.  

  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/18/2019 1:28 PM
    Looking forward to the holiday weekend and eating locally harvested food!

  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/17/2019 7:23 AM
    Out on the farm today with students, learning how this organic farm uses permaculture practices and principles to grow nutrient-dense delicious organic vegetables:   https://windsongorganicfarm.com/about/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits
    Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/16/2019 6:40 PM
    I reduced my electricity usage at home by adding a timer to my outdoor pathway lighting so the lights turn on at dusk and shut off at midnight.   I don't use my clothes dryer as much because I line dry my clothes outside.  

  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/15/2019 4:37 PM
    Colleen from the TRUE NORTH animal sanctuary visited campus today with the chicks!  Students learning about vegan and vegetarian diets, Eat more Plants, less meat!



  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/15/2019 4:32 PM
    ECOFEST CELEBRATION ON CAMPUS TODAY.  New Ecology Club Leaders (Piper and Joe) in the center joined the eboard !

  • Wanda Knapik's avatar
    Wanda Knapik 4/14/2019 12:17 PM
    Educating girls in Nepal:  https://blinknow.org/our-story