Juliana Leahy

Comox Valley Unitarians, Comox United Church & Friends

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
734 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

491

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

220

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

36

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Juliana's actions

Materials

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Toilet Bank

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day by installing a toilet tank bank.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 18
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

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

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Juliana Leahy 4/24/2019 5:02 PM
WE ARE NUMBER ONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!
26 | COMOX VALLEY UNITARIANS, COMOX UNITED CHURCH & FRIENDS | COMOX VALLEY UNITARIANS & COMOX UNITED CHURCH | 48 | 13649 | |
28 | LUSH FRESH HANDMADE COSMETICS | LUSH | 96 | 13272

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- Heather Kennedy-MacNeill 4/24/2019 8:30 PM
  It’s close to 8:30 and they’ve pulled ahead by 500 points! By the way, I know that some people have not liked the fact that Ecochallenge will give you 150 points if you donate $30 to them, but I disagree. This is a complicated and expensive infrastructure and it’s free, but the only way to fund it is through participants. I really appreciated that they offered that many points for just a $30 donation. It’s one of the smallest amounts I’ve ever been asked for and this kind of action to donate does help climate change activists. My two cents! But no matter, I am so grateful for this challenge and our efforts to make a difference. Thanks to all!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Juliana Leahy 4/23/2019 1:21 PM
I notice beauty every where. I also notice bits of garbage that I am then able to pick up and dispose of properly. This feels good.
I always love connecting with people I pass by with a hello, a little chat about the beauty around us, the eagles in the trees, the seals barking in the water.....simple engaging with others, connecting creates positive energy that feeds people....it's all good. I haven't put too much thought in to infra structure because for me, you simply need to open the door, have something comfortable on your feet and go. If you must drive somewhere to do that, I think that is worth the trip.....but neighbourhood walks are great, meeting your neighbours is delightful....picking up garbage in your neighbourhood feels rewarding!!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Juliana Leahy 4/23/2019 1:14 PM
We have just been saving water in buckets as we run the tap for washing hands/face/veggies/dishes and using that to flush our toilet. It's so easy and collect sooooo shockingly quickly. It's stunning to think of the water I personally have wasted. I truly feel so more in tune with the preciousness of our water supply.

It was an easy habit to develop when showering to turn off the water will soaping/shampooing etc....I love challenging myself to using less and less water.....it's a great game to play with your self!!!!

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- Kasia Stepien 4/23/2019 9:28 PM
  Having the Stage 4 water restrictions conveniently got me thinking about how to save water usage too! Greg installed an eavestrough on our garden shed today, and we're starting to collect rain water for the garden. Great idea about saving water from washing up too.
  
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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?
Juliana Leahy 4/23/2019 1:10 PM
Choosing to ride my bike is such a no brainer for me. I was not previously riding my bike to work because it was tooooo close to home.....only an 8 minute ride. But since the Challenge started, I've just been doing it and LOVING IT!!! Riding fills my spirit with joy and my lungs with fresh air and feels fabulous!!!! What a great way to start the day!!! 10 mins riding to work and 10 more coming home to refresh after the day of work. There are the smiles exchanged as I ride passed people, the hello's, seeing their smile on their face. It's win win. AND NO GAS USED.....tho' yes, admittedly occassionally left behind but that's TMI ;-) I've been riding to the store to groceries, little things I've forgotten and need. Do it by bike!!!! I generally jump on any opportunity to ride because it's like receiving a wonderful life-giving gift EVERY TIME!!!!! How could I not love that!!!!!

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- Kasia Stepien 4/23/2019 9:29 PM
  Your joy for riding is so palpable Juliana!!! Thank you for sharing it :D
  
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Juliana Leahy 4/08/2019 5:45 PM
Being intentional about allowing for the time to ride or walk to local places it's pretty easy and so rewarding to do, on many levels. I often do things just because I love them but having that extra bonus of doing these because I love them AND they are good for our planet is so much more than the icing on the cake!!!!!

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Juliana Leahy 4/08/2019 11:18 AM
To clarify about our toilet water usage.....again we did not buy a new low water toilet. Ours is low water output toilet already but when it's yellow we let it mellow....only when it's brown do we flush it down. I think that saves a lot of water too....and again, no money was spent, I just got intentional about when I really need to flush.

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- Kasia Stepien 4/08/2019 10:11 PM
  Shirley, if you're ever too ripe, I will let you know :D
  
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- Shirley Buchan 4/08/2019 2:37 PM
  Me too. I have always had that policy with flushing. I also reduce water use by not having a daily shower. Spending umpteen years of my life carrying water in buckets, I learned that I can stay clean enough on a small bowl of water most days, washing my hair in the sink and having a weekly shower. I hope this doesn't make me a stinky old lady. I've lost my sense of smell so wouldn't know.
  
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Juliana Leahy 4/08/2019 11:15 AM
To be clear, I just want to say that we did not buy a new shower head. BUT, I turn off the water more than it is on when I shower. I probable use less water than a low output shower head. It's a habit now and a game to see just how little water I actually need to use. I hope this counts...it's very intentional and we didn't have to spend the money on the shower head. It's very easy turning off the water.

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- Shirley Buchan 4/08/2019 2:50 PM
  Good idea. I may also capture some of the water in a container and use it to flush the toilet.
  
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Juliana Leahy 4/02/2019 9:21 PM
It's so easy to say you'll do something......but to ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING, that is another thing altogether!!! I've been on the "yes, yes, yes, I know we need to do something about climate change but how how how??"..............This time though......right here, right now, it's entirely different. I'm part of a team, there is support and guidance and A VERY REAL NEED TO STEP UP and TRULY do something. It feels different.... It feels very real.......urgent. I ABSOLUTELY can't nod my head in agreement to do something and not do more........change my habits, my way of thinking, increase my awareness.....be intentional about purchases and waste removal and energy, water use etc.....Thank you all for your support! We are truly in this together, whether we realize that or not!!! Feeling grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow.

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- Shirley Buchan 4/06/2019 1:14 PM
  Amen sister. I need your help and Dan's and Kasia's for information and encouragement. Perhaps you can help me find ways to source local products during the winter months.
  
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- Kasia Stepien 4/03/2019 11:32 AM
  Yes yes yes to the gratitude and appreciation for doing this together! And really DOING it!
  
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