Emily Wiesenthal

EcoChallenge Rhinebeck

"I hope to become a better example for my children by participating in this challenge!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
682 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

35

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

24

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Emily's actions

Buildings and Cities

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

COMPLETED
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

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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Use

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

#5 Tropical Forests

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Support Nutrient Management

#65 Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED
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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

#1 Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

#30 Methane Digesters (large), #64 Methane Digesters (small)

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

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
Electricity Generation

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 4:32 PM
Cooperation and communication have to happen to get people on board. It’s hard nowadays to meet local people outside of mom groups, so discussing local changes that can be made with our neighbors when possible is key. A challenge for a shy person like me but I’m going to try!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 4:13 PM
It was not too terrible until Easter came along—it was hard to find local fair trade/rain forest certified candy for the Easter baskets because I waited to long to shop. Next year I will be more on top of things. It’s also hard to find chocolate that is both fair trade and rainforest alliance certified

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 4:11 PM
By looking for active ways to help mitigate my role in climate change. It’s easy to fall into the trap of hopelessness but by participating in recycling programs and being conscientious about my consumption I feel like I may be making a small difference.

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Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 4:00 PM
I really learned a lot, esp in relation to how hard it is to avoid personal care products that promote deforestation. Once I use what I currently have I am going to look into making some of my own products at home!

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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?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 3:58 PM
It’s comparatively cheap and readily available;

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 3:57 PM
By joining a CSA I’m able to meet local farmers and other likeminded consumers, so it’s a win win!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities

What are your next steps for saving energy?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 3:56 PM
Insulating and weather proofing my house, and looking into the cost of new windows.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 3:56 PM
Reduce the amount of paper products I use in general and go paperless wherever possible.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Use

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
Emily Wiesenthal 4/24/2019 3:55 PM
I can try to only purchase rain forest certified chocolate and coffee and avoid palm oil whenever possible.

Read More