Reihaneh Etemadi

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

Through social media, I will raise awareness about gender inequity in education by sharing the information found in the links below.

I will spend at least 10 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.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans and nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

I will spend 10 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

I will research and tell 3 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 15 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

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

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

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.

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 2 friends, family and/or colleagues.

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 5 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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.

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

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

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown 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.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

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

I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

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

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Earth Month Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

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

I will purchase food from a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant. Establishments that have earned a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant designation have demonstrated a commitment to take economic, environmental, and social actions that benefit the region. See the link provided for more information and a list of designated restaurants.

Get connected with nature in one of our own Allegheny County Parks. Explore one or more of the many well-marked hiking trails throughout the parks. The link outlines different options for finding and navigating each trail, including a smart phone app.

Learn about the new hydro-electric plant that will provide clean energy to county facilities!