Join the Drawdown EcoChallenge, presented by EcoChallenge.org

April 3 - April 24, 2019

Lehigh Valley EcoChallenge 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
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?

C Loch 4/21/2019 10:51 AM

I believe the culture for eating meat stems from lobbyist at the federal level who influenced the food pyramid to include grains, meats, and dairy as main food groups, with little unbiased evidenced-based knowledge to support this directive. Vast advertising for decades which communicated that a good meal included each of these main food groups continued to shape our culture. We as a society are shaped mainly by macro-econmics, more so than facts, and such, we are not doing right by society as a whole.

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Martha Christine 4/18/2019 8:24 AM

I've worked with the Lehigh Valley Quakers for the past 5 years to host a fundraising "Harambee"--a celebretory lunch of Kenyan recipes-- to raise funds to send Kenyan girls to school. I was interested to learn about the intersection of girls' education and climate change.

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Marilyn Jordan 4/17/2019 10:43 AM

I want to increase my food challenge $4 from 1 plant rich meal/day to 2 - how can I do that? Signing up originally for 1 meal/day was a mistake. Thanks.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

John Gallagher 4/10/2019 8:19 AM

I drive a 2005 Toyota Prius. The hybrid lithium battery finally failed after 14 years of service. I looked into buying a new Prius but decided to replace the hybrid battery and continue driving my 2005 model for the future. This will save untold amounts of energy in manufacturing, production, and shipping of a new vehicle.

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James Rosenberger 4/08/2019 5:46 PM

I want to buy REC's as my current electric generation is not 100% renewable. I just can't figure out where to buy them. I have PPL and I don't see any way to purchase through them. I see things pointing back to https://www.green-e.org/ but they seem to just certify not actually sell the REC's. Any ideas where I can get started? Thanks!

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- Martha Christine 4/12/2019 8:27 AM
  
  I bought carbon credits from this oganization to offset my flight this spring, but you can also buy them to offset other sectors --try going to "purchase" and clicking on "home use". https://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator
  Or you can buy renewable electricity from clean choice: https://cleanchoiceenergy.com/how-it-works/pricing-plans/
  
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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?

Jacqulyn Cook 4/08/2019 7:54 AM

Learning about the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates on food products was extremely enlightening for me! "Use by" dates are geared towards the consumer so that they get the best use of the product, while "sell by" dates are geared toward the retailer for stocking shelves. I think it's important for people to know that it's not unsafe to eat food that has passed its "best by" date. I also think this emphasizes the importance of knowing how to store food in optimal conditions once it's home from the grocery store in order to decrease food waste.

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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?

Olivia Barz 4/08/2019 4:57 AM

My biggest contribution to deforestation from my diet is coffee. I learned that there is shade grown coffee that is labelled that typically reduces the impact.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Olivia Barz 4/08/2019 4:56 AM

I knew of the concept, however I had never heard it termed silvopasture before. I think this is a great method of maintaining natural ecosystems while still providing goods and services.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Generation Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

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?

James Rosenberger 4/06/2019 7:52 AM

Install a monitoring device such as Sense.com which will show you individual loads in your household, and one interesting piece of data Sense will show you is the "Always-On" wattage. You can challenge yourself and family on finding lights, power supplies, electronic devices etc which are consuming power 24/7 and turn them off or put them on a timer to reduce the always-on consumption in your home.

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Brian Hillard 4/05/2019 1:18 PM

Today's actions: recycling at the office and research into cement alternatives.

I've chosen recycling at the office, because it's an action I've already integrated. Due to our small office, it isn't economical to have a truck come out to handle the recycling. So I've taken it upon myself to take our recyclables home. I do this every Friday, so it was only fitting to have that action today.

I've also chosen to research cement alternatives. Just this morning I was reviewing the future plans for the Martin Tower property, and it was suggested that a parking garage would reduce the footprint for the required parking and allow for more green space. Considering the footprint that concrete has, I thought it would be a great opportunity to research just what that footprint is, and how it could be lessened.

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