Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Sandra Elsen

Strategy to Execution Department

"Small steps each day will lead to much success throughout the journey. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
541 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

8.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

180

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Sandra's actions

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Express My Support For Walkable Cities

Walkable Cities

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Research Retrofitting Incentives

Building Retrofitting

I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Explore Other Buildings Solutions

All Buildings Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

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

Conduct Virtual Meetings

Telepresence

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Replace lightbulbs to LED

I will work with my local energy company to get LED lightbulbs and replace any existing incandescent bulbs in my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 20 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Farm Irrigation Efficiency

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Solar Water Consultation

Solar Hot Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

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?

Sandra Elsen 4/30/2021 8:38 AM

Black bean burgers are a great vegetarian lunch!

Read More
Sandra Elsen 4/29/2021 12:41 PM

Excited to consider how to limit cutlery waste for a local event by using silverware lent out from a local business.

Read More
Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:12 AM

Learning a lot on how to advocate more for mother earth.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Climate Resilience Express My Support For Walkable Cities

How could better walking infrastructure make your city both more enjoyable and more equitable?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:12 AM

Encouraging walkable pathways that are welcoming to the community to draw in people to enjoy the space and improve wellbeing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Climate Resilience Support a Community Garden

What are the multiple benefits of community gardens, including carbon sequestration? Why do these benefits matter to you?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:11 AM

we are looking into adding greenspace that can double as a buffer to a parking lot and increase community garden access.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Online Energy Audit

What are your next steps for saving energy?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:07 AM

Our home is very energy efficient, however opportunity exists in adding insulation.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Research Retrofitting Incentives

How can you share what you have learned in your research with others?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:06 AM

Thoughtful on how to save existing building shell and refresh the core with updated energy efficient systems.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Explore Other Buildings Solutions

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

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 7:05 AM

Considering how to incorporate a more efficient lighting, HVAC, water, etc. into existing buildings to improve outputs.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings 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?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 6:51 AM

Was able to share an article with my master facility planning team to consider climate change and greenspace planning, along with potential hoisting partnerships, in our future state.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?

Sandra Elsen 4/28/2021 6:42 AM

Next house I build my dream is to go off the grid and ensure sustainability including concepts with geothermal/solar energy. Considering enrolling in Xcel's renewable energy programing.

Read More