Julie Tait

EcoChallenge Rhinebeck

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
680 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

70

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

16

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Julie's actions

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

Electricity Generation

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

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 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Smaller Portions

#3 Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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

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

Explore Other Food Solutions

All Food Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

Explore Other Transport Solutions

All Transport Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Transport Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
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

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Julie Tait 4/24/2019 1:02 PM
Tree Intercropping (planting tress and crops in the same fields) benefits plant growth and provides habitat for pollinators and birds.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?
Julie Tait 4/24/2019 12:58 PM
My family and I do a pretty good job reducing our electricity usage. Compared to our neighbors, we have been most efficient for years. Introducing an electric car has bumped up us up to slightly above average in our usage. It's all about balance though!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Julie Tait 4/24/2019 12:50 PM
I had never heard of silvopasture before researching it for the eco-challenge. Integrating trees with livestock, benefits the soil, and nearby water sources, and provides habitat for a more diverse group of wildlife.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons?
Julie Tait 4/23/2019 3:47 PM
Not just healthy food but healthy crops for the earth/ the soil. We can get away form so much poison and messing with the makeup of plants

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Julie Tait 4/23/2019 3:43 PM
Just because the date has passed, doesn't mean it's no good. We regularly eat yogurt in our home, even past the sell by date. With small kids, I always worried about this but now I don't have to!

Read More
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?
Julie Tait 4/23/2019 3:40 PM
There is an abundance of food in this country and the cost is not prohibitive, the way it is in other countries.

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?
Julie Tait 4/23/2019 3:39 PM
Smaller potions make me a more thoughtful eater and i have already noticed a difference in how I feel after dinner.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?
Julie Tait 4/23/2019 3:37 PM
Launching a recycling program at our school showed me how much of a difference just a little effort can make. I am hopeful that the students will carry this momentum forward to other schools and to our town with our help.

Read More