EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Colleen OKeefe

Seton Hall University

"To inspire others to care for the planet that we live on"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
644 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

210

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

30

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Colleen's actions

Women and Girls

Support Women-Owned Businesses

#62 Women Smallholders

I will spend 10 minutes each day researching women-owned businesses I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

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 ACTION

Materials

Recycle Everything I Can

#55 Household Recycling

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

Learn More about Biomass

#34 Biomass

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

#18 Geothermal

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

#30 Methane Digesters (large), #64 Methane Digesters (small)

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Had you ever heard of biomass techonology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share this with your friends!
Colleen OKeefe 4/23/2019 8:06 AM
I had learned a little bit about biomass technology before this challenge but in my research, I was really surprised to learn that it is the largest form of renewable energy used in Europe and that it is also one of the most secure forms of renewable energy.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

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?
Colleen OKeefe 4/23/2019 8:03 AM
I could figure out how to invest in geothermal stocks as well as research which politicians are in support of geothermal energy and choose to support them as well.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Colleen OKeefe 4/22/2019 5:51 PM
I found out that the train is an easy way to avoid having to drive all the way to and from school. Instead I can be dropped off at the train station and take that instead.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?
Colleen OKeefe 4/22/2019 5:48 PM
I could refuse products that have excess packaging while I am shopping, or repurpose old things like used jars into vases or containers for other things so that they are not being thrown away

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?
Colleen OKeefe 4/11/2019 8:32 AM
eating smaller portions is also a great way to feel healthier and not too full.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Colleen OKeefe 4/11/2019 8:24 AM
I was surprised to see that there were more bamboo alternatives than I thought. Something as simple as a bamboo cutting board is a great way to have a more sustainable cutting board than if it were plastic.

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?
Colleen OKeefe 4/11/2019 8:18 AM
Palm oil, coffee, cocoa, and meat, dairy, and eggs all impact forests and they are products that I can choose to avoid. Though I do have some of these regularly, I would like to drink less coffee or at least make sure it is more sustainable and I will definitely try to stay away from foods and other products that have palm oil because of how detrimental it is to the environment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Colleen OKeefe 4/11/2019 8:00 AM
Know the difference between use by, sell by, and best by helps me know when I need to use foods by and ensures that I will not waste food by either letting it go bad to throwing it away before it has gone bad.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Colleen OKeefe 3/28/2019 8:12 AM
We have factory farms here that make meat products a lot cheaper. The environmental cost is not factored in and because these products are so readily available, people buy more and more of them. America also spends more on consumer good than most other countries which also contributes to why these products are bought so frequently.

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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?
Colleen OKeefe 3/26/2019 11:46 AM
I have recently looked up women-run small businesses and I am going to try to shop at these stores instead of the chain stores that I usually buy things from.

Read More