EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Ariana Sweedler

SUNY New Paltz

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
471 Total

Participant Impact

up to

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
up to

140

minutes

spent learning

Ariana's Actions

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

Completed
One-Time Action

Women and Girls

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

#7 Family Planning

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

Completed
One-Time Action

Buildings and Cities

Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

All Buildings and Cities Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions.

Completed
One-Time Action

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

Completed
One-Time Action

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

#5 Tropical Forests

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

#9 Silvopasture

I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

#11 Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

Completed
One-Time Action

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

Completed
One-Time Action

Feed

Reflection Question
Women and Girls Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? Share some of the learning with your friends!

Ariana Sweedler 4/24/2019 6:29 PM

In focusing on family planning and educating and empowering women, population decline and the benefits to the planet become the side effects. Contraception and equality are more important to the environment than many may believe.

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Reflection Question
Buildings and Cities Explore Other Buildings and Cities Solutions

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

Ariana Sweedler 4/24/2019 6:26 PM

I already knew about some of the building and cities solutions, such as green roofs and cool roofs. The landfill methane solution I found very interesting. When you hear landfill and methane you automatically think of it as a bad thing. It's cool to see how innovative we can be in turning these things into something useful and beneficial.

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Reflection Question
Food Explore Other Food Solutions

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

Ariana Sweedler 4/24/2019 6:17 PM

I found the concept of biochar very interesting. I figured that burning anything would cause more problems. The benefits, including better soil and fuel source were certainly shocking.

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Reflection Question
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 2

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Ariana Sweedler 4/23/2019 9:02 PM

Since I live on campus, it's hard to know exactly where my food comes from in the first place. I found it very difficult to even know what exactly to change. On top of that, my options are limited so there isn't necessarily much room for change.

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Reflection Question
Materials Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Ariana Sweedler 4/23/2019 8:58 PM

I have a hard time addressing my feelings of concern, fear, and sadness about climate change. I often feel stuck and unable to make big contributions, especially since I know big corporations play such a huge role in climate change. However lately, and thanks to these challenges, I have been trying to make real changes as well as spread the knowledge I have to others.

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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?

Ariana Sweedler 4/23/2019 8:42 PM

I would much rather use this money for helping to take care of my friends that can't truly afford food in the first place, which is an issue for many friends I have.

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Reflection Question
Electricity Generation Communicate With My Elected Officials

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

Ariana Sweedler 4/23/2019 8:30 PM

My grandma unfortunately signed a contract allowing a fracking rig to be built on her property. It has completely ruined her water supply and I worry for her safety knowing all that I do about fracking. This is one area I have a personal connection to and feel very strongly about. I plan to continue calling elected officials to urge them not to use natural gas and fossil fuels.

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Reflection Question
Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Ariana Sweedler 4/21/2019 3:22 PM

My diet consists of a lot of dairy and eggs. The feed for these contribute to deforestation, which I already knew a bit about. What came as more of a shock is how coffee can contribute as well. To decrease my negative impact I can eat more plant based foods and check coffee labels to see if they are shade grown or have the "Rainforest Alliance Certifications" label.

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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?

Ariana Sweedler 4/21/2019 3:13 PM

I have not heard of the term silvopasture until this callenege. Silvopastures help the environment while also protecting the livestock. They also help create higher yields.

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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?

Ariana Sweedler 4/21/2019 3:03 PM

Regenerative agriculture also has economic benefits for farmers. Plants will also be more resistant to pests as well as bring more nutrients back to the soil. Regenerative agriculture can increase yields to help sustain our population as well.

Read More