Pat Scherer

Green Offices @ UT Austin

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
442 Total

Participant Impact

up to

1.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
up to

1,279

pounds of CO2

have been saved
up to

200

minutes

spent learning

Pat's Actions

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

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

Completed
One-Time Action

Buildings and Cities

Research Retrofitting Incentives

#80 Retrofitting

I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if my city, region, or state offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

Completed
One-Time Action

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

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

Completed
One-Time Action

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Feed

Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 3:22 PM

Fort Worth's recent city planning initiatives included incentives to Package stores and fast food outlets near the schools to carry healthier foods...discussed impact of that along with thoughtful reworking of sidewalks and bike paths.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Research Retrofitting Incentives

How can you share what you have learned in your research with others?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 3:17 PM

I could send the info and links out through our general chat channel.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Tour a Green Roof

What did you learn on your green roof tour?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 3:05 PM

First off, learned that Dell Med and Austin City Hall have green roof installations. They both do a great job in insulating the floors below without reflecting heat back into the atmosphere.

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Reflection Question
Food Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 3:03 PM

Cutting back on erosion and optimizing production w/o depleting the quality of the soil.

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Reflection Question
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 3:01 PM

I always pay attention to dates, and don't throw much out, but it is helpful to know the difference in these terms.

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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?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 2:59 PM

Some part of that is thinking of meat as a mainstay requirement of every meal as well as many people not appreciating the variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. I learned a lot about meatless meals supporting myself through college and never returned to thinking that meat was a prerequisite for a great meal.

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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?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 2:53 PM

Prefer using the money for better quality food.

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Reflection Question
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 2:52 PM

Had not heard the term silvopasture before, however, after reading, I understood it to be pretty common practice in Central Texas. Biggest advantage is providing shade for livestock.

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Reflection Question
Transport Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Pat Scherer 4/15/2019 2:42 PM

We chose to vacation at home, and I am in the process of planning a virtual event that will allow the presenters to present from home as well as support other remote participants.

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