Join the Drawdown EcoChallenge, presented by EcoChallenge.org

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Illinois Green Alliance Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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?

Liz Wimmer 4/24/2019 8:31 PM

This website is the ultimate guide to reducing food waste! They have meal planning and prep guides, food storage tips, and even recipe suggestions to turn scraps and "past-its-prime" food into a meal https://savethefood.com/

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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?

Deeta Bernstein 4/24/2019 3:41 PM

I was pretty surprised to see how much food we actually threw out over the course of a week! I'd rather use that $1,500 (or hopefully much less for us going forward!) for pretty much anything!!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Women and Girls Help Girls Overcome Health Barriers

In what other ways could you help girls overcome health barriers to being able to attend school?

Nicole Spicer 4/24/2019 2:36 PM

Support more organizations that advocate for the health care needs of girls all over the world. We need to make sure our educational systems recognize the basic needs that young girls require and that's done through educating the puplic and policy reform.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Eliminate Toxic Plastics

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Megan Zack 4/24/2019 2:23 PM

I got really good at saying ‘no straw please’ at restaurants and asking for no silverware when getting takeout. I even brainwashed my kids - at restaurants they would tell the server to bring their drinks in glass, not plastic!

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Nicole Spicer 4/24/2019 2:17 PM

This has been a fun and rewarding challenge. The fact that we challenged ourselves to be better custodians of our planet and learned more ways in which we can help reduce carbon emissions and support climate change and global warming solutions we are all winners. Way to go team!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Materials Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Laurel Kruke 4/24/2019 12:54 PM

I think single-use plastics and our culture's consumerism are big issues affecting the environment. Single-use plastics and plastic packaging is a huge issue, and as society continues to buy new things rather than reuse, plastic and packaging waste will continue to grow.

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Laurel Kruke 4/24/2019 12:23 PM

After the challenge is over, I plan to continue to cut down on my meat consumption. I've done pretty good at sticking to chicken and turkey, and have found myself choosing more vegetarian or fish options more frequently. I'll keep working at it!

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Anna Waggoner 4/24/2019 12:15 PM

You know work gets busy and forget to log every day. Life can be a challenge even when you try.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Explore Other Food Solutions

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

Laurel Kruke 4/24/2019 12:08 PM

It was interesting to read about how Kenyan farmers are managing their crops when faced with constant drought - dividing their land up to farm different types of crops and forming a support group of fellow farmers to work on collective projects. Lots of great strategies that I'm sure are applicable all over.

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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?

Anna Waggoner 4/24/2019 7:57 AM

Starting to prepare to compose--not all the way there yet.

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