Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Deborah Baker

Comerica Texas Green Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
756 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

19

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

75

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

people

helped
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved

Deborah's actions

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Buy Bamboo

Bamboo Production

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Go Paperless

Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Help Students Overcome Health Barriers

Health and Education

I will donate 1 Femme Kit(s) to help people who menstruate overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Smart Seafood Choices

Ocean Farming

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Give a Microloan

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will give 1 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.

COMPLETED
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 Sinks Learn about Temperate Forests

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

Deborah Baker 4/30/2021 1:47 PM

Increasing my awareness and knowledge make me feel a sense of empowerment; however, convincing elected officials to do or not do something seems very remote. I feel strong around controlling my own behavior (except giving up coffee), but I feel almost powerless in affecting the behavior of lawmakers. I figure, if it doesn't mean money in their pocket, or in the pockets of their favorite lobbyist, then they aren't going to really listen to what I have to say.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Buy Bamboo

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

Deborah Baker 4/30/2021 1:43 PM

I see them only occasionally. One fast food merchant, START, uses biodegradable containers and bamboo utensils. The utensils can even be placed in the dishwasher several times before they are no longer usable. I need to be more cognizant when shopping so I can employ more bamboo into my daily life.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Go Paperless

What do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?

Deborah Baker 4/29/2021 6:39 PM

I would much rather accumulate experiences than material goods. I enjoy every day experiences such as interacting with others, learning new information, and pondering new ideas and developments. Material things have a way of owning you when you originally thought to own them.

Read More
Deborah Baker 4/29/2021 6:33 PM

I thought I was well informed around ecology and environmental protection steps I could take, but during this challenge my knowledge has increased terrifically and I really don't want the process to end! I have become a better consumer through this challenge.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks 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?

Deborah Baker 4/27/2021 2:13 PM

Silvopasture was new for me; however, throughout my life, now that I am thinking about it, there NEVER were very many trees out in the pastures where the cows grazed all day. In the heat of the summer, the cows would all crowd around the few, scrawny trees that just happened to be available. Why has no one thought to plant trees in the cow pastures before now?!? Why didn't it occur to me that, if for no other reason, it would be helpful to the cows?!? I am so glad to know about Silvopasturing AND I am embarrassed to admit I never thought about doing something similar.

Read More
Deborah Baker 4/26/2021 6:50 AM

Wow! Who knew Solutions Journalism was a thing?!?

I have always been drawn to news articles, in print & on screen, that investigate common social & environmental problems (think Flint water crisis & high school football players with concussions) and present solutions; however, I had not considered that it was its own type of journalism.

I am delighted to know about Solutions Journalism! I plan to pay closer attention to it, incorporate it into my daily news consumption., and encourage my favorite news outlets to include more of it.

THANK YOU, Solutions Journalism Network!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

Deborah Baker 4/18/2021 6:59 PM

My assumption is we eat more meat because it is readily available and we have the funds to buy it. It is really not terribly good for our bodies--at least at the level we eat it in America--and it produces carbon to grow it and to prepare it for the table. So, it is an item we need to reduce in a big way.

Read More
- Troy Williams 4/20/2021 12:06 PM
  
  As a heavy meat eater I agree with this. Growing up we have been told to eat certain things and cook them certain ways in order for it to be healthy. Guess doing more research and learning alternative ways might be needed.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood Choices

Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

Deborah Baker 4/17/2021 3:16 PM

I rarely eat fish, so I am probably not causing problems with my food choices. However, I could do with a bit more education around advisories in my area.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Climate Resilience Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

Deborah Baker 4/17/2021 3:14 PM

I don't know what my city is planning either short term or long term regarding climate change. Clearly, I need to research this and weigh in on decisions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions Give a Microloan

Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. Why do you think that is?

Deborah Baker 4/17/2021 3:13 PM

Women are typically quite nurturing, so it stands to reason they would put their money into efforts and items that help the people close to them.

Read More