EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Joe Mattocks

Emerson Waldorf

"Supporting immediate transformational change to move us toward a sustainable global environment."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,412 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

130

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

20

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

12

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

407

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Joe's 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

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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

#5 Tropical Forests

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Conduct Virtual Meetings

#63 Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

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

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 2 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

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

Materials

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

#47 Bioplastic

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

#8 Solar Farms

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Nutrient Management

#65 Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 3:42 PM
The best way to endure virtual meetings honor our values and company’s cultures is by actively soliciting feedback and participation from all of those present in the virtual room. Essentially making sure all people are being heard.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 3:37 PM
Black carbon is not only an environmental issue, but a health and social justice issue because inhaling black carbon is linked to health issues like cancer, birth defects, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. It’s also a social justice issue because it affects vulnerable people with less resources. One example of this is what happened and is still happening in Flint, Michigan or in LA city neighborhoods where fracking is allowed. Until climate change is treated as a health and social justice issue, people will continue to think it doesn’t affect them or others. Black carbon contributes to local air pollution, toxic food and water, and health issues everywhere.

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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?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 3:27 PM
A sustainable community would be one that doesn’t use nitrogen fertilizers and grows all crops organically. Also, a sustainable community would require all residents to compost food scraps and recycle all glass, plastic, and clean paper products. This would be a unifying effort where all understand that it benefits all within the community. Also, water would be clean and not contain chemicals. Residents would be taking necessary actions to reduce their carbon footprint by driving electric or hybrid cars, using bikes and electric bikes for errands, using public green transportation or walking. These are just a few ideas to get started.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 10:08 AM
Transportation choice affects how often you interact with people around you. For example, if I’m walking or biking, I might say hello or have a conversation with someone, but I’m a car that’s less likely to happen. I also think people tend to behave more aggressively in cars than they do when face to face. Also, walking and biking allow for more opportunity to look around at surroundings, buildings, homes, and landscaping.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 10:04 AM
I learned the wave and tidal energy has zero CO2 emissions and zero impact on the environment. It is a cheap source of energy, but initially requires a large investment. The largest tidal plant is located in South Korea. I was very surprised to learn that the U.S. has no tidal power plants.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 9:56 AM
The main single use items I use are straws and coffee cups, mainly when I’m not at home. I can eliminate using single use by buying my own reusable straws and bringing my own coffee container. As far as single use plastic bags, I already bring my own reusable bags when shopping and I don’t use plastic produce bags.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Geothermal 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?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 9:52 AM
I can invest in geothermal energy by investing in geothermal energy companies backed by Microsoft and Google or publicly traded companies like Ormat Technologies. I can also invest my time in getting involved advocating for geothermal energy and voicing my opinion to elected officials and take part in climate change activism opportunities.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
Joe Mattocks 4/24/2019 9:33 AM
Environmental quality influences sense of community because it affects people’s health and safety. If nitrogen fertilizers deplete organic matter in our soil, seep into waterways, and emit a huge amount of carbon dioxide, then we have a a bigger problem. If our soil is depleted, then our food is less nutritious and contains poisonous pesticides. If fertilizers seep into our water, then that’s an even larger safety issue. Look at how water quality affected the community of Flint, Michigan, poisoning residents and causing major illnesses. And if the nitrogen fertilizer used by most farmers in the U.S. emits more carbon dioxide than 2 million cars, then that causes significant climate change. Hurricanes, droughts, wild fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis can create serious problems for affected communities.

Read More
Joe Mattocks 4/23/2019 5:15 PM
I didn't realize how much I would learn by participating in this challenge. There are so many new things I've learned that will make a difference in personal choices and actions that I continue to take. My favorite action was learning about methane digesters.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Every dollar you put into solar or wind is a dollar not put into traditional financial institutions. You'll also be bolstering the fossil fuel divestment movement, too. Name some companies you know that invest in green energy. How can you support them?
Joe Mattocks 4/23/2019 5:07 PM
Google, Microsoft, and Apple are three companies leading the way by investing in green energy. I also noticed that Starbucks, Intel, Kohl's, H&M, HP, American Express, and Netflix are in the Green Power Partnership Top 100 Companies. I already support several of these companies as customers, but I can take it a step further by investing in their stock. Another way to support them is to share this information with friends, family and colleagues.

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