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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
Mark Randolph's avatar

Mark Randolph

SEEDS

"The Kalkaska Conservation District helps public and private landowners manage their natural resources to prevent soil erosion and protect water resources."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 365 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    16
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    7.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted

Mark's actions

Materials

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

UNCOMPLETED
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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Muscle Power

#49 Cars

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Contact your Elected Officials

#23 Farmland Restoration

I will contact 5 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Social Justice

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

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
    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?
    Mark Randolph's avatar
    Mark Randolph 4/15/2019 11:52 AM
    This isn't an easy question. Why do Americans east so much meat? In part, it is because corn and meat are produced as commodities rather than products: They are part of the corporate food conveyor. Were the beef grass fed, it would be a more sustainable and eco-friendly food source.
    Our government policies and subsidies are a huge part of the problem. Oil is subsidized to make pesticides and fertilizer and fuel to raise subsidized corn to feed to subsidized CAFOs.
    But, what kind of food ecosystem would we have without farm subsidies? What kind of food system can feed 300,000,000 Americans every day, year after year? How do we scale our local food movement to reliably supply the nutritional needs of millions of people?
    I wonder how a system built on corporate subsidies can be politically changed to subsidize sustainable growers, instead? The local food movement is headed in the right direction... scaling it against the will of corporations will be the tough fight.
    Read More
    • Elizabeth Dunham's avatar
      Elizabeth Dunham 4/15/2019 2:00 PM
      Very tough fight indeed, will only be won through the intentional action of many, many communities!
      Read More
  • Mark Randolph's avatar
    Mark Randolph 3/21/2019 11:07 AM
    I am very excited to participate in this way cool effort. The Kalkaska Conservation District will help spread the word. Thanks for the opportunity, SEEDS partners!
    Read More