

Monique Martindale
"To learn more about how I can personally have a positive impact on the environment and our world."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 779 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO165minutesspent learning
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UP TO165gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1.0treeplanted
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UP TO27plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0conversationwith a person
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UP TO27meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Monique's actions
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
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.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
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.
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.
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
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.
Land Use
Plant Trees
#15 Afforestation
I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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.
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 25 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Electricity Generation
Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives
All Electricity Generation Solutions
I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
Food
Explore Other Food Solutions
All Food Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.
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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Monique Martindale 4/25/2019 3:31 AMI'm sad that the Ecochallenge is over! I was really interested in the topics - I learned so much! I learned more about regenerative agriculture, and I had never even heard of silvopasturing before. It also challenged me to step it up in many areas. I definitely felt a shift in my awareness AND my actions. I'd love it if there were a way to continue the challenge! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity GenerationWhat inspiration and wisdom can you gather from your family, faith, or community traditions that would help you in both communicating about and addressing our most pressing energy issues?
Monique Martindale 4/24/2019 5:11 PMIt always surprises me when I hear people state concerns about the appearance of solar or the noise produced by wind turbines. I guess I think that it is so natural , as well as beautiful, to harvest energy from Mother Earth, that I would welcome the sights and sounds of it! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodWhat did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Monique Martindale 4/24/2019 3:03 PMI never really thought about the amount of energy used to irrigate crops. Much energy is needed not only to pump the water, but also to distribute it.-
Harrison Bardel 4/24/2019 5:05 PM
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Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 4:53 PMI am looking into getting rain barrels to collect rain water for our vegetable and flower gardens. -
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 4:50 PMFor Christmas, I received 2 wonderful gifts: Etee food wraps, which are made from beeswax and a set of beautiful woven produce bags to bring to the store and use rather than the plastic bags provided. I really, really like both of these products and I have almost entirely eliminated the use of plastic in my kitchen! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand UseHow is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 3:43 PMIt was so interesting (and scary) to see just how many products use palm oil!
The list of companies and products is overwhelming, so for the time being, I've chosen 5 products to commit to no longer purchase. That was difficult, because some of the items were among our faves. I plan to contact those companies and voice my concern of their use of palm oil, in terms of the environment AND the horrible outcome for orangutans! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodClean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 3:30 PMThe produce is more nutritive, as carbon is being maintained in the soil. Also, it allows for healthful microbes to remain in the soil. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 3:18 PMI've always pushed the limit on dates on my food and now I've learned that in some instances,I can push even more! -
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 5:22 AMJust tilled a raised bed and planted peas and lettuces - growing our own fresh, delicious, nutritious food - with no transportation of produce or packaging involved! -
Monique Martindale 4/23/2019 5:10 AMIt felt good that for our large Easter gathering on Sunday, we had found enough plates, silverware, wine glasses and cloth napkins from local thrift stores (for the best selection and prices, see the Tibetan thrift store on Rte 28) so that we did not have to use a single disposable item. It was very satisfying!