Drawdown EcoChallenge

April 3 - April 24, 2019

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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 Communicate With My Elected Officials

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 9:26 PM

Learning the effects of NOT acting on sustainable energy issues.Having ways to get involved. Educating myself. Having support in my community. Being inspired by the way others are getting involved. Knowing my role is important.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Explore Other Transport Solutions

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

Ashley Lorden 4/24/2019 2:20 PM

I was really surprised that our daily commute choices actually have by far the biggest impact, as opposed to shipping and air travel. It made me commit 100% that the next car for my family will be electric, and that we'll continue to emphasize non-car local transport -- should be easy in the summer!

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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?

Ashley Lorden 4/24/2019 2:18 PM

Wave and tidal energy is a huge potential natural energy source but the implementation of technologies to harness it can be very expensive and difficult to maintain. Still, because so many cities which use a lot of energy are coastal, it is worth more research.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Test Drive an Electric Bike

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Private vehicles account for 60% of trips of a mile or less. Do you often drive short distances instead of biking or walking? If so, how might incorporating an electric bike into your lifestyle help you make more climate-friendly choices?

Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 10:11 AM

I have a bike but it's challenging for more hilly or longer destinations - I tend to take a lyft or borrow a car. I occasionally ride the bikeshares but I'm curious about learning more about electric bikes as a possibility for something to invest in, as I've considered buying a car for more convenient journeys.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Ashley Lorden 4/24/2019 9:49 AM

We already have a smart thermostat and these were the last non-LED bulbs in the house. One other thing I want to do is add a toilet tank to the other 2 toilets (we have it in 1 and it seems to save water without any side effect, so great!).

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Ashley Lorden 4/24/2019 9:47 AM

Last day of Ecochallenge :( :( I used to feel like similar initiatives were more about making people feel good than really causing change, but I love Ecochallenge because it *does* actually make a difference, in 2 ways:
- one-time actions that have a lasting impact such as changing out showerheads and lightbulbs, planting trees etc, keep giving back forever!
- daily actions were some of those habits stick -- I might fall off the wagon on some things, but others have made me permanently more conscious of my impact (for me, this time it was food waste that I realized is a really big deal and I definitely have a different attitude about composting any leftovers)

Would be curious to hear others' biggest changes/takeaways!

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- Ashley Lorden 4/24/2019 11:14 AM
  
  High five Suzy! I have a different approach to our buffet lunch now :)
  
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- Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 10:15 AM
  
  I agree! I think the one time actions genuinely made a difference - both with my learning about topics I wasn't knowledgable about, sharing what I've learned with friends, and donating or doing actions that have a positive effect if only done once. With the daily actions, I agree as well - the food waste bit was big for me too, and I feel like I've created a habit that I'll stick with, that I hadn't considered before.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Support Nutrient Management

How does environmental quality influence your sense of community?

Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 9:29 AM

There's something so magical about purchasing fruits and veggies from the grand lake farmers market (mentioned on the site in the resource link, https://www.localharvest.org/grand-lake-farmers-market-M4004) and supporting local economies. With more support, we can help strengthen these community based food systems so that quality local organic food can be more accessible and affordable to all.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Donate

How are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?

Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 9:23 AM

As open fires or basic stoves burn in homes or places without a lot of air flow, they let out huge amounts of smoke and soot ---- liable for 4.3 million premature deaths each year. This isn't something I've thought about much before, but is so incredibly sad. I've spent some time in a community Kenya, one of for Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves's focus countries, and am so grateful for the work they're doing there and all over the world.

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Suzy Lambert 4/24/2019 9:11 AM

Last day! I'm officially sold on using smaller plates for lunch at work -- no more wasted bites!

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Suzy Lambert 4/23/2019 4:30 PM

Wildflowers in Mt Diablo today! And so much green. Thank goodness for parks

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