Gretchen Egging
"I am committed to a sustainable future and to improving my community."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,320 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO2.0conversationswith people
-
UP TO1.0documentarywatched
-
UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
-
UP TO1,050gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO5.0lightbulbsreplaced
-
UP TO104locally sourced mealsconsumed
-
UP TO73meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO685minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO345minutesspent learning
-
UP TO795minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO44plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO280pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO3.3pounds of paperhave been saved
-
UP TO3.0treesplanted
-
UP TO42zero-waste mealsconsumed
Gretchen's actions
Land Sinks
Support a Community Garden
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
Land Sinks
Learn More about Silvopasture
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Health and Education
Host a Film Screening
Health and Education
I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.
Health and Education
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
Health and Education
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Land Sinks
Choose Better Wood Products
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
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.
Electricity
Rooftop Solar Consultation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.
Electricity
Choose LED Bulbs
LED Lighting
I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Tend A Garden
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 3 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 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Local Food Systems
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 100 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
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.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Transportation
Purchase a Carbon Offset
Efficient Aviation
If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.
Industry
Choose Recycled Paper
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
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.
Industry
Recycle Everything I Can
Recycling
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.
Industry
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Bioplastics
Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and BIPOC-majority neighborhoods. I will avoid buying and using 1 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Industry
Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket
Refrigerant Management
I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.
Industry
Practice the 5 R's
Recycling
I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.
Buildings
Research Retrofitting Incentives
Building Retrofitting
I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.
Buildings
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Buildings
Replace Manual Thermostats
Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
Buildings
Install A Toilet Tank Bank
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.
Buildings
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Buildings
Fix Leaky Faucets
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities. Fixing leaky faucets can save up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.
Buildings
Research Heat Pumps
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
Buildings
Upgrade My Windows
Insulation
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Land Sinks
Plant Trees
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 90 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers in person or by posting to social media.
Health and Education
Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 90 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
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 QUESTIONIndustry Reduce Single-Use DisposablesWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Gretchen Egging 4/28/2021 9:56 AMI've gotten pretty good at cutting out single-use items. Once place where I could do better is the flat of water bottle in my car. I use them for emergencies and hiking mostly, but I bet there's a better alternative. Maybe a flat of boxed water? -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Choose Recycled PaperGood job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?
Gretchen Egging 4/28/2021 9:55 AMCutting back on paper altogether is a great start. I rarely print nowadays. Working from home in a small space makes me more aware of printing (not wanting to fill a small space with supplies, etc.). -
Gretchen Egging 4/28/2021 9:52 AMThis challenge has been really great! For the next challenge, I'll try to encourage my whole team to join.-
Rebeca Barrios-Torres 4/30/2021 8:23 AMThis is a great idea. Something small I think we could all do! -
Courtney Groszhans 4/28/2021 10:15 AMThat sounds great!
-
-
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?
Gretchen Egging 4/28/2021 9:50 AMI talked a friend into buying carbon offsets with me! Proving knowledge about these topics is really important. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings Plan to InsulateWhat are some of the benefits of making your home more energy efficient?
Gretchen Egging 4/27/2021 2:58 PMI spent some time in the attic over the weekend. I installed a new ceiling fan to cut back on using the A/C, and while I was up there, I added some more insulation. This summer is going to be cool (literally)! ;) -
Gretchen Egging 4/27/2021 12:20 PMI shared some of what I learned from this challenge with a friend this weekend. It's great being a little more knowledgeable about these important topics. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Buy BambooAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Gretchen Egging 4/27/2021 12:19 PMJust got a new set of bamboo plates for the backyard this summer. I'm glad I was reminded about this before buying plastic. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Find a Local Climate-Friendly SupermarketHow close is the nearest climate-friendly supermarket to your home? How could you encourage local supermarket to reduce or phase out their use of HFC refrigerants?
Gretchen Egging 4/27/2021 12:18 PMIt's pretty far, but I would think closer ones exist but aren't yet added to the map. I'm hoping I can find some more local ones on my own because if the huge impact it has. -
Gretchen Egging 4/26/2021 10:17 AMEven balconies can be gardens!
-
Rebeca Barrios-Torres 4/30/2021 8:24 AMThat is awesome! Where did you find this?
-
Courtney Groszhans 4/28/2021 10:17 AMThat is so cool! -
Hannah Kliphan 4/27/2021 3:59 AMThose planters are gorgeous!
-
-
Gretchen Egging 4/26/2021 9:44 AMHad a great weekend in the garden, and hiked out to a waterfall. I'm happy this challenge is getting me outside more.