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Welcome to Drawdown EcoChallenge!

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

EcoChallenge.org
Drawdown EcoChallenge
April 3 - April 24, 2019
Jenny .'s avatar

Jenny .

EcoChallenge Rhinebeck

"Aspiring solar punk"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 624 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    person
    helped
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    5.2
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    145
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    12
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made

Jenny's 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

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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 15 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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

#26 Electric Vehicles

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

#6 Educating Girls

I will donate 1 Femme Kit(s) to help girls overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 15 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

#29 Wave and Tidal

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
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?

  • Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 11:21 AM
    When I was reading about women owned businesses in the hudson valley, I saw there is a grant women who want to start one can apply for and the deadline is May 9th. https://www.newpaltzchamber.org/wow.html
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    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?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 8:20 AM
    There are lot of local farmers in the area. It's interesting to meet so many people who have left other careers to try their hand at growing food. The more I learn about farming the more I realize what hard work it is, but it also seems to be very gratifying.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 8:19 AM
    I think it is purposely confusing to have some many different labels. It encourages people to throw out food that may still be good. Sell by and best by labels do not mean a food has spoiled; only that the store and manufacturers (who are, of course, in the business of making money) suggest you use the product by this date. They are not official food safety labels.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation
    What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 8:12 AM
    The articles I read said tidal and wave energy is potentially capable of providing up to 25% of our energy, which came as a surprise to me. But it hasn't been realized because the technology hasn't been developed yet. More research and funding is needed.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    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?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 7:51 AM
    Today the dog helped us keep our meal zero waste. The other scraps went into our new compost.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls
    In what other ways could you help girls overcome health barriers to being able to attend school?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/22/2019 7:48 AM
    Have a nurse at the school with free supplies or provide free supplies in public restrooms.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use
    How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/21/2019 7:56 AM
    I learned that palm oil is one of the biggest culprits in deforestations. And turning the land over to growing this crop also affects the habitat of animals. The article suggests cooking with oil oil or coconut oil as an alternative.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings and Cities
    What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/21/2019 7:48 AM
    There is an organization that is helping homeowners and business owners change from black sun-absorbing roofs to white or cool ones.  This means the roofs absorb less of the heat and because of this the homeowner can spend less on air-conditioner.
    Check out this for more details. 

    http://www.whiteroofproject.org/faq
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls
    Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. How can you better support communities by supporting women? Can you share any past experiences that may help others take action?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/21/2019 7:28 AM
    I try to notice which businesses are owned by women in the area. Oblong books
    and Tivoli Mercantile come to mind. Bubby's food stand and restaurant were started and are owned by one woman. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport
    Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?
    Jenny .'s avatar
    Jenny . 4/20/2019 4:24 PM
    I watched a video about a police force that has started using hybrid cars to save money on fuel costs. Most of the people in the town were against the idea at first until they realized how cost-effective it was.
    Read More
    • Chantal Collins's avatar
      Chantal Collins 4/20/2019 4:42 PM
      Hey Jenny!  Thank you for sharing all
      Of this.  Every bit of information helps and makes others aware of what is going on in the 🌎. 
      If you have a moment, PLEASE click on edit profile and update avatar, banner and mission statement   THANK YOU 🙏🏻 
      Read More