EcoChallenge.org

Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Laura Willis

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
489 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

60

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

65

minutes

spent learning

Laura's actions

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Materials

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

#47 Bioplastic

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 5 friends, family and/or colleagues.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity Generation

Communicate With My Elected Officials

#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore)

I will write or call 3 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Express My Support

#54 Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Start a Social Media Campaign

#6 Educating Girls

Through social media, I will raise awareness about gender inequity in education by sharing the information found in the links below.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Women and Girls

Host a Film Screening

#6 Educating Girls, #7 Family Planning, #62 Women Smallholders

I will host a film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

#3 Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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
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?

Laura Willis 4/04/2019 8:21 PM

I am SO glad that I became vegan last year, because of the effect that animal agriculture has on deforestation. I knew it was bad, but the numbers are INSANE. 80% of deforestation in Brazil linked to cattle ranches?! No thank you! I'm also glad that I've never liked coffee, because those numbers are wild too! I definitely need to be more aware of my palm oil and chocolate intake. I'll be sure to look for Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa and avoid palm oil!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Start a Social Media Campaign

How are people responding to the statistics you're sharing on social media?

Laura Willis 4/03/2019 9:06 PM

Not a whole lot of people reacted, but I got a few likes and hearts. What was really cool to see was that two people who I haven't seen or talked to in years reacted positively to my post! It's awesome to see that people care about climate change and educating women!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Recycle Everything I Can

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

Laura Willis 4/03/2019 9:01 PM

I try to reduce by using reusable bottles and containers, and when I do need to use a plastic water bottle, I try to fill it more than once! Always refuse a straw to save the turtles! I've definitely repaired a few clothing items (but I think that was because I loved them so much). I've also repurposed an old knot-wrap to use as a flute cleaning swab!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Laura Willis 4/03/2019 8:57 PM

A sustainable community would find ways to recycle/reuse waste, and would be using that waste to grow food. A methane digester would be super beneficial to any community. A small digester can breakdown household human and pet waste and be beneficial in suburban areas, while industrial digesters can be used in large cities or large farms! Biogas and biofuel are the energy sources we need to secure our future!

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Laura Willis 4/02/2019 8:43 AM

Can't wait to start this eco challenge tomorrow!

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