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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Laura Cinat 's avatar

Laura Cinat

Baker Demonstration School

"To learn how to be a better steward of the Earth's resources, and inspire others to get involved, too!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,095 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    57
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    52
    miles
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    52
    miles
    traveled by carpool
  • UP TO
    490
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    50
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    11
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    29
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Laura's actions

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Petition Against Stryofoam trays in Michigan School

High school seniors in my hometown are petitioning to replace styrofoam with compostable lunch trays. I want to support them so signed a petition, funded publicity and shared it on social media

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Contact Local Government Official to support focus on sustainability initatives

I chose this goal because I still believe in the adage "think globally, act locally," and I believe my town can make great strides in reducing our carbon footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Conduct Virtual Meetings

Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Take a Relaxing Walk

Take a walk for 20 minutes. Relax, take note of the beautiful plants and flowers that are emerging. Let it inspire you ...

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Watch "I Am Greta" film

Greta is an inspiring leader in fighting climate change. She is also a young person. I'd like to learn more about how she has become such a leader and determine if this is a film to recommend to other parents to watch with their children.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Watch movie on CSA Farming

Action is to watch “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.” I am a shareholder of Angelic Organically Farm, and my daughter’s School takes an overnight trip there. I wanted to learn more about how it came to be a success and the person who created and runs it. The point is to create a strong connection between my food consumption and the land and people who grow it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Try Carpooling

Carpooling

I will commute by carpool 4 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics, Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Calculate My Carbon Footprint

All Drawdown Solutions

I will calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce my negative impact on the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

Onshore Wind Turbines, Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Communicate With My Elected Officials

Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines

I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Express My Support For Equitable Biking Infrastructure

Bicycle Infrastructure

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 30 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Take the Pollinator Pledge from Natural Habitat Evanston

I chose this because it's a way I can use the land I own and control to ensure the health of pollinators and other insects that are so important to our food supply and biodiversity.

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
    Electricity 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 ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/29/2021 7:42 PM
    Our electricity consumption increases at night, which is logical because lights are required in the house. However, I also think the higher nighttime electricity consumption is due to increased time spent watching TV or gaming. We could relax by reading books or playing games instead and, of course, by turning off lights when we are not in the room. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about Biochar
    Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/29/2021 7:37 PM
    Yes, it can also be used to capture clean energy and to enrich soil, thus increasing yield of fruits and vegetables (and increasing food security).  I had never heard of biochar.  It sounds really promising and was fascinating to hear it's a rediscovered ancient process that was used in the Amazon. Apparently in the UK they are turning disposed of Christmas trees into biochar. I wonder if we could do that here.

  • Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/29/2021 7:14 PM
    This year I have especially enjoyed reading the reflections of my teammates, and learning from them.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Calculate My Carbon Footprint
    What stood out to you most about your carbon footprint? What surprised you or sparked curiosity? Where can you take most immediate action?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/22/2021 2:54 PM
    Even though I my carbon footprint is less than my average neighbor, the calculator told me that if everyone on Earth lived as I do, we would need THREE Earths to sustain my lifestyle. This tells me two things: I can continue to make efforts to reduce my own footprint by driving fewer miles, using less climate control, etc. and 2. The United Status overall needs to take sweeping measures and implement policies that reduce carbon footprint.

    • Shana Bernstein's avatar
      Shana Bernstein 4/22/2021 7:14 PM
      Wow, that's shocking. Americans are responsible for so much of the problem.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Support Companies Leading in Green Energy
    Every dollar you put into solar or wind is a dollar not put into traditional financial institutions. You'll also be bolstering the fossil fuel divestment movement, too. Name some companies you know that invest in green energy. How can you support them?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/18/2021 11:49 AM
    Some companies listed in the resources were Apple, Nike, Facebook, and Wells Fargo (among many others). Beyond Green Energy I am also interested in how company treat their employees—the pay, the working conditions, the empowerment—and the impact on their communities—equity, land use, etc.
    So for me it’s fairly complex to decide which companies to do business with. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Go for a Daily Walk
    What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/16/2021 4:21 PM
    Today's daily walk was fabulous. The birds are chirping, the blossoms and blooming, the sun is shining. The air is cool, almost cold, which makes it refreshing.  The neighborhood is very walkable, with only a few busy streets to pass, and most drivers are very respectful of yielding to pedestrians. Very grateful to have access to this wonder!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Conduct Virtual Meetings
    How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/16/2021 3:00 PM
    Holding virtual meetings reduces emissions driven by transportation. They also help people balance personal and work lives by reducing the time it takes to get to and from work. Yet there are also shortcomings to be aware of. Not all workers have a quiet place to work in their homes. Not all people have reliable access to the internet. Not all people have jobs that can be done remotely.  For those that are remote, to stay true to values, I think it helps to allow a balance of having cameras on and off so that people can connect and see each other, and also so people can have privacy and some personal space.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use 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?

    Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/15/2021 6:39 PM
    Learning more about these labels helps me to realize they are just guidance, and that if food is properly handled it will last well past these dates. It's important to handle properly and also check for foul odors or other signs of spoilage before deciding to compost it instead of consume it.

  • Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/14/2021 3:04 PM
    I am having a lot of fun again this year.  Enjoyed watching "The Real Dirt on Farmer John," a documentary about the farmer in charge of Angelic Organics, where I buy my farm share each year and where Baker has had middle school trips.

  • Laura Cinat 's avatar
    Laura Cinat 4/11/2021 5:50 PM
    My daily actions are going well. This week I plan to complete more one-time actions centering on research and education to broaden my knowledge.