Modal Title

Modal Description

Welcome to Drawdown EcoChallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an EcoChallenge expert in no time!

EcoChallenge.org
Drawdown EcoChallenge
April 3 - April 24, 2019

Liam Neupert

One Stone

"Climate Change is a crisis, treat it like that!"

Points Total

  • 0 Today
  • 0 This Week
  • 686 Total

Participant Impact

  • up to
    6
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • up to
    24
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • up to
    5
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Challenges

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 Challenge

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 Challenge

Land Use

Choose Better Wood Products

#38 Forest Protection

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 4 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY CHALLENGES

Food

Zero-waste Cooking

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 5
DAILY CHALLENGES

Food

Support Local Food Systems

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will source 10 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 5
DAILY CHALLENGES

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY CHALLENGES

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 5
DAILY CHALLENGES

Feed

  • Reflection Question
    Land Use Buy Bamboo
    Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
    Liam Neupert 4/11/2019 1:01 PM
    I always make sure to carry my bamboo utensils with me but I know there really aren't many bamboo options. The most sustainable option is to bring what you have, bring utensils from home!!
    Read More
  • Liam Neupert 4/02/2019 9:17 AM
    The challenge officially starts tomorrow!! Let's get to it!
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Materials Go Paperless
    What do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?
    Liam Neupert 4/02/2019 9:14 AM
    I want to learn to minimize what I have so that I can better appreciate the time I am given. I have realized that because I have so much and it often builds up to a complete mess I usually spend more time stressing about all the stuff and cleaning it up then I do enjoying the space and the actual items. It causes a constant rotation of stressing about the mess, intense cleaning, getting rid of a ton, and then the cycle starts again. I end up constantly bringing in more and more which I then get rid of in the next clean. So, my goal is to invest in my items, wear or use the hell out of them and then, when I truly feel like they have served their purpose with me, I can give them to the next person.
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Keep Track of Wasted Food
    An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money?
    Liam Neupert 4/02/2019 9:08 AM
    I would rather invest in the food I am eating. Instead of buying more than I need I can buy only what I need and learn to support local farmers and companies that I trust align my values with. As a culture we need to take time and get away from the idea that food is overpriced and realize that good food is valuable. 
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Smaller Portions
    Fun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?
    Liam Neupert 4/02/2019 9:06 AM
    Portion sizes take a toll on our bodies! With smaller portions you body is able to properly digest your food and not have to bloat a ton to fit all that food you just shoved into it. Eating larger portion sizes makes your body work way harder then it needs to which can lead to less energy and more storage of the food. 
    Read More
  • Liam Neupert 3/28/2019 1:29 PM
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Zero-waste Cooking
    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?
    Liam Neupert 3/28/2019 1:29 PM
    So much activism isn't just one things, they intersect. The way that these can connect is that off gases from cooking can be a harmful to our bodies but the off gases of the plastics our food is in can be harmful to our bodies and to the environment. Everything can be connected for good or bad!
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Support Local Food Systems
    Dependable fresh food, supporting local farmers and building resilient communities are just a few benefits of local food systems. Which of these (or other) advantages inspire you the most?
    Liam Neupert 3/28/2019 1:20 PM
    The most important aspect to supporting local economy for me is that you can begin to know who is harvesting and creating your food, but it also cuts down so much on the emissions that come from getting food from far away!
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Reduce Animal Products
    In your opinion, what contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other countries? What does this say about North American values and ways of living?
    Liam Neupert 3/28/2019 1:15 PM
    American is an extremely meat oriented culture. Our roots are planted in barbecue and meat which is often times hard for people to break away from. I also think there is a stigma and exclusive culture when it comes to veganism and that keeps people away from plant based lifestyles.
    Read More