I will spend 20 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS
Electricity Generation
Communicate With My Elected Officials
#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)
I will write or call 3 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
#7 Family Planning
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Women and Girls
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Use
Learn about Temperate Forests
#12 Temperate Forests
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Use
Local Perennial Biomass
#51 Perennial Biomass
I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food
Learn More about Silvopasture
#9 Silvopasture
I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
#11 Regenerative Agriculture
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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 20
DAILY ACTIONS
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
Learn More about Biomass
#34 Biomass
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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 1
DAILY ACTION
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.
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?
REFLECTION
QUESTION
Electricity GenerationCommunicate With My Elected Officials
What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Read about it last year during the EcoChallenge. I was surprised to learn that any kind of fuel-burning could be part of the climate change solution, but I do understand the importance of interim measures.
While legally equal, Canadian women still deal with a system built on misogyny. There is a double-standard in the workplace that is particularly prevalent in politics, where men can get away with acting like Donald Trump, but women must walk a fine line. Alberta's newly elected Premier opposes women's right to choose. Women are still expected to do the bulk of child rearing. And I have otherwise progressive friends who are against affirmative action because they are convinced the women will be less qualified.
For me, the most sexist environment I have personally lived in was a STEM university program. It had a rich and beloved tradition of excluding, mocking, and objectifying women. Fortunately, students are actively working to change that attitude.
Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
My household has cut palm oil completely from our purchases. It's not ideal, since sustainable palm oil is actually better for the environment than other vegetable oils, because of its extremely high yield. Unfortunately, we haven't had much success in identifying companies that use truly sustainable palm oil, so it has been necessary to cut it all.
As for paper products, we do our best to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
I am not at all surprised that the ocean is a difficult environment for technology. There was a good point made in favour of it, though: most of the population lives near a coastline, so the power generation is near the demand. I was impressed by the article suggesting NASA has a special technique for improving the resonance of a buoy and waves.
Electricity GenerationLearn More About Geothermal Energy
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?
A home geothermal system as described in the linked article is inappropriate for the extreme cold weather we see here. I could do more research into geothermal investment options and whether geothermal electricity is an option in my area.
As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?
Because it's so prevalent in my media sphere, I am constantly thinking about climate change. I try to be more conscientious about my own carbon footprint, though I haven't been able to give up meat altogether and do sometimes let food go bad. Overall, I find it quite overwhelming - even if I were to cut out meat, get all my food sourced locally, avoid plastic, and give up my obligate-carnivore cats, I will not make much difference. It is corporations and the governments that serve them who need to take action. Seeing the rise of Trumpism here in Canada and elsewhere in the world, I worry that we could be looking at a +3C world in my lifetime. People are already dying from extreme weather events. It's all so much! My only hope comes from the youth-led movements slowly gaining traction with some politicians. Perhaps in another 4 or 5 years, we will finally see drastic measures taken. But will it be soon enough?
I agree that we need governments to act wisely, and it's hard to imagine that happening. Hope you find this quote from environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas cheering.
Anne-Louise Blue 4/10/2019 8:44 AM
