Carla Fulmore

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 20 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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

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 20 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

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.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

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

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

I will take a walk for 45 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will commute by carpool 18 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

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

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.

I will spend at least 30 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 spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

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

I will cook 2 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 source 10 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.

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

I will spend at least 30 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 visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

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.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

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.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.