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April 3 - April 24, 2019

Design Collective EcoChallengers Feed

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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 Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
    What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? Were you surprised by the information you found?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/24/2019 3:16 PM
    I learned that buoys are likely the most promising wave energy strategy, with the Australian buoys off-shore from a military base as a good example.  I though it clever that they are placed below the surface to avoid the brunt of the waves and storms.  These 3 experimental buoys are 35' in diameter; 65' wide buoys may be beta tested next. I also learned that the technology is in its infancy and will need government funding/backing to succeed (as was done for nuclear power plants and other technologies); currently, it seems that most funding is coming from private or institutional sources.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Smaller Portions
    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?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/24/2019 10:05 AM
    Smaller plates make you think about your choices and help with weight control.  I also try (and have my kids try) to load up on veggies first and drink water before and during a meal to help fill up on lower/no calorie food and drink. We also take a pause before thinking about getting more and share a dessert if we are out at a restaurant and are having any.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Composting
    Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/24/2019 10:00 AM
    I was raised by two parents that grew up in the Great Depression; food waste in particular was frowned upon and avoided.  We cleaned our plates, ate leftovers, and composted.  I've brought these actions forward in raising my own kids, and, we try to make it fun by being inventive in the kitchen. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Research Cement Alternatives
    Concrete is a good example of a material that most of us encounter every day, but may its carbon footprint is not obvious. What other everyday materials might have a large carbon footprint? How can you find out more?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/24/2019 9:51 AM
    I am thinking bricks and ceramics would have a large carbon footprint, due to the high heat (kiln) manufacturing process and transportation, but perhaps a lifespan analysis would show that this balances out as these materials can last for hundreds or even thousands of years.  A material lifespan carbon footprint search would likely yield more info.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls Support Women-Owned Businesses
    Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. How can you better support communities by supporting women? Can you share any past experiences that may help others take action?

    Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 6:42 AM
    Women in other countries are often limited in their opportunities and are regulated to domestic jobs despite their skill or education level. We need to level the playing field to create more opportunities for women 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Conduct Virtual Meetings
    How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?

    Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 6:41 AM
    Encourage the use of technology to conduct meetings whenever possible instead of using resources by driving to meetings.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Use Muscle Power
    How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

    Meredith Sullivan's avatar
    Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 6:40 AM
    I enjoy walking when time isn’t an issue and weather permits. It’s preferable to being stuck in a car! Not a fan of city biking 
  • 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?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/23/2019 8:14 PM
    Recycling of electronics seems to be the most difficult.  i think we could all hold on to our mobile phones and other gadgets longer and not feel compelled to run out and get upgraded gear.  I've also recently advocated for Repair legislation, to make it easier to have electronics able to be repaired rather than just replaced.  I think/hope we will see a shift in electronics culture like we have with clothing - vintage is cool - when owning something a long time will have more status than having the latest gizmo.

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 7:19 AM
      Apple needs to stop making the battery slow down 18 months after you buy a phone forcing you to get a new one! 😀
  • 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?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/23/2019 8:10 PM
    I think we are fairly well-equipped with our senses of smell, taste, and sight to determine whether food is safe to eat. We have evolved over many generations developing these senses and only recently have depended more on labeling.  I think labeling plays a part in a healthy food system, but should be balanced with our own senses, including common sense.

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 7:19 AM
      I think it’s partially a scam to sell more and in turn we waste more  because we are disposing of perfectly good food. 
  • 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?

    Cecily Bedwell's avatar
    Cecily Bedwell 4/23/2019 8:06 PM
    I think the idea of a "meat and potatoes" meal was promoted as a symbol of prosperity and also politicized as "All American." Also, many of our high-end restaurants are based on steak houses (e.g., Ruth's Chris), but this trend seems to be shifting. Our government has often promoted diets that are not as healthy as they could be. I believe there was an Ad campaign funded by the government to promote the eating of cheese; when many Americans were starting to drink low-fat milk, there was an abundance of milk fats to find a use for - the solution was to sprinkle cheese on all sorts of food.  There was also an Ad campaign for Beef, then Pork ("the other white meat"), then a promotion of protein in general, as if protein is the most important food component. We do not need to eat  that much protein - about 10% of our daily intake is enough and can be found in non-meat foods easily. 

    • Meredith Sullivan's avatar
      Meredith Sullivan 4/24/2019 7:21 AM
      There is a great documentary about this called Forks Over Knives! One of the things I found more interesting is how we have forced our western ideals on eastern cultures and now cultures who never ate a lot of meat now believe you need meat as your main source of protein.