Laura Cinat
"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
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UP TO57meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO52milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO52milestraveled by carpool
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UP TO490minutesspent exercising
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UP TO50minutesspent learning
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UP TO11pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO29zero-waste mealsconsumed
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
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.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
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.
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.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Electricity
Learn More about Biomass
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy CreditsYour 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 4/29/2021 7:42 PMOur 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 QUESTIONCoastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about BiocharCan biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?
Laura Cinat 4/29/2021 7:37 PMYes, 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 4/29/2021 7:14 PMThis year I have especially enjoyed reading the reflections of my teammates, and learning from them. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Calculate My Carbon FootprintWhat stood out to you most about your carbon footprint? What surprised you or sparked curiosity? Where can you take most immediate action?
Laura Cinat 4/22/2021 2:54 PMEven 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 4/22/2021 7:14 PMWow, that's shocking. Americans are responsible for so much of the problem.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Support Companies Leading in Green EnergyEvery 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 4/18/2021 11:49 AMSome 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 QUESTIONTransportation Go for a Daily WalkWhat have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Laura Cinat 4/16/2021 4:21 PMToday'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 QUESTIONTransportation Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Laura Cinat 4/16/2021 3:00 PMHolding 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 QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration DatesHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Laura Cinat 4/15/2021 6:39 PMLearning 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 4/14/2021 3:04 PMI 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 4/11/2021 5:50 PMMy daily actions are going well. This week I plan to complete more one-time actions centering on research and education to broaden my knowledge.