Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Joanne Hardy

CH team

"Mission Statement: To live the reverence, in spirit and deed, Native Americans had for nature and the environment."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,040 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

20

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

41

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

565

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

450

minutes

spent outdoors

Joanne's actions

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.

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries

Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids

I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 20 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Advocate for Solar Installation

Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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

Explore Other Electricity Solutions

All Electricity Solutions

I will spend at least 240 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Tend A Garden

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

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 15 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Restore Wetlands

Coastal Wetland Restoration

I will volunteer 40 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products

Engineered Sinks

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.

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?

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?

Joanne Hardy 4/29/2021 6:23 PM

Not sure there is any way to invest in geothermal energy when you live in a 130 year old former New England brick factory building. Geothermal energy solutions are not for everyone or everywhere on the planet. In the end, is it just another way to deplete the earth's resources? Just asking.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More about Biomass

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!

Joanne Hardy 4/29/2021 6:10 PM

Never heard of biomass technology before this challenge. What surprises me most is that a great deal of water and land area is needed to set-up and operate the technology. And, turning trash into fuel is not entirely clean...it is a hazardous contributor to global warming. Let's think again, improve the technology!

Read More
Joanne Hardy 4/28/2021 12:07 PM

Good news: The Audubon Society that administers our local community garden just informed that I have been assigned a 15' X 20' organic garden plot! Here we go marching toward that plant-based diet.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Explore Other Electricity Solutions

What is the most exciting solution you explored? Why is it exciting to you?

Joanne Hardy 4/28/2021 12:03 PM

OK, so here goes: After exploring 82 project drawdowns (alternative refrigerants and management, solar power, conservation agriculture, health and education, managed grazing, forest restoration and tree plantations, abandoned farmland restoration, silvopastures...intregrate trees and pastureland), I have to say my favorites are the two I can most incorporate in my life, switching to a plant-based diet and reducing food waste. This will take some doing as I still love a good rare filet mignon. Oh well, let's plant those trees in the pasture!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Joanne Hardy 4/26/2021 3:04 PM

Next for me is having a home audit of electrical use by the electric company. And, disconnecting power sources not in use. Plus, turn down the heat!

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?

Joanne Hardy 4/25/2021 10:42 AM

The city where I live has a community garden. It is administered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. For $35 you get a 15' x 20' plot. I'm joining! Next week there will be a zoom class on how to garden organically, that is a strict rule here at the community garden. I'll look for plants that do a good job of carbon sequestering, plus many herbs, plants native to the area and...many flowers. I'll leave most of the fruits and vegetables to our local farmers and their farmer's markets. We are fortunate to have so many in the area. I can even ride my bike to a couple!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Advocate for Solar Installation

How does advocating for rooftop solar connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?

Joanne Hardy 4/25/2021 10:20 AM

Clean energy is becoming a central issue for how we save our planet. And for me, rooftop solar seems like a no brainer. However, our 1888 repurposed New England factory building, with 23 condo units, currently is a challenge. Our roof is flat, it could accommodate solar panels, but it is currently used by owners, weather permitting, to sun themselves and gather for informal evening chats. It will take someone more persuasive than I am to get them to share the roof with solar panels. However, I'll keep trying.
Meantime, a local golf course on a hilly slope within city limits has just been sold to a developer who is installing acres of solar panels for
an alternative energy source here in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. My hope is it will directly impact the energy needs of my small city of 43,000 residents. Ironically, over 70 years ago, I camped with my parents on this hilly slope in a homemade Tepee made from a pattern taken for my father's Boy Scout Handbook. Amazing!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

Every 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?

Joanne Hardy 4/21/2021 2:37 PM

My energy company is working toward 100% green energy by 2030. They are coming to my home for an energy evaluation, see how I can save on energy costs. Keep tuned!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood Choices

Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

Joanne Hardy 4/20/2021 8:19 AM

Well, that was interesting, and disturbing! The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issues warnings on consumption of freshwater fish in the state. Children should not eat any fish caught in rivers and ponds in the state. They are full of either Mercury or PCBs! In the city where I live, no fish should be consumed by either adults or children from the river, (the Housatonic River runs right through the city, or lake, (Silver Lake is in the middle of the city. It was polluted by General Electric with PCBs). Ponds in Massachusetts, even Cape Cod appear to be polluted with Mercury, the fish inedible by humans. We have a lot of work to do to clean-up our rivers, lakes and ponds, make them habitable again for a delicious trout or big mouth bass dinner.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Solar Water Consultation

Diversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?

Joanne Hardy 4/13/2021 5:38 PM

Trying to green all the way. It will be a challenge because our building is from 1888 and there are 23 other units living here that also have a voice in what happens to this building. But I'll keep working on the other owners to consider more "green" solutions. Amen!

Read More