EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Gentry Rouse

EcoChallenge Rhinebeck

"To keep my integrity while organizing the world in a better manner."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,524 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

72

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

115

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

15

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Gentry's actions

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 3 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Choose Recycled Paper

#70 Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Launch a Recycling Program

#56 Industrial Recycling

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 ACTION

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

#47 Bioplastic

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 5
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Social Justice

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

#39 Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by attending a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Tour a Green Roof

#73 Green Roofs

I will set up a visit to tour a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Fix Leaky Faucets

#46 Water Saving - Home

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Become A Master Recycler/Composter

#55 Household Recycling

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Land Use

Research Peatlands

#13 Peatlands

I will spend 5 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Gentry Rouse 4/24/2019 4:30 PM

Wow, this was really close - great job Rhinebeck.

Read More
- Chantal Collins 4/24/2019 6:47 PM
  
  Thank you for your participation and all of your posts!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 6:29 PM

First, the continued use of water to extract gas and our need to get off natural gas is the first things that needs awareness. 50% of our electricity in NY is generated by natural gas. This needs to change - geothermal energy is also a way to reduce our natural gas.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 6:27 PM

Well, staying on plastics - there should be a standard 3 type of plastics, which would be all based on bio-plastics, or at least have bio-plastics as one of the plastics we use, if we are going to use plastics, or begin to get away from them towards other materials such as bio plastics.

I always wonder why i have like 7 different type of recycling triangles on my plastic bottles or some aren't recyclable. ALL PLASTIC SHOULD BE MANDATED TO BE RECYCLED AND SEGMENTED INTO 3 KINDS, ONLY.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Launch a Recycling Program

How can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?

Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 2:38 PM

I have chosen a career in such because I believe, and know, this is the only future we have to live sustainably.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Choose Recycled Paper

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?

Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 2:36 PM

I can use any paper that I am going to throw away and use it as note pads/scratch pads.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Go Paperless

What do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?

Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 2:35 PM

I always go paperless - in fact, I had to insist that I go paperless with a bank once on their monthly statements which they changed their protocol shortly after.

Read More
Gentry Rouse 4/23/2019 4:02 AM

I recycle all my boxes from Amazon by using them to hold my paper recyclables in the garage.

Read More
Gentry Rouse 4/22/2019 5:39 AM

Ok, things are getting close - seems like Rhinebeck has stayed the most consistent in terms of activity and moving the needle, constantly.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Use Muscle Power

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

Gentry Rouse 4/22/2019 5:37 AM

Living in a village, I am always using my bike to get me place and run errands. Its so easy and just as fast as I don't have to look for parking and can easily move around on my bike. It also keeps you healthy biking.

Read More
Gentry Rouse 4/21/2019 5:38 PM

Looks like this is going down to the wire - I think there is a strong push ahead from Rhinebeck that can happen here!!

Read More