Sahar O'Brien

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

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

I will contact 5 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws, as well as the rights of local people to protect and restore the land in their communities.

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

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

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

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

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.

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

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

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

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

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.

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

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 plant 2 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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

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

I will write or call 1 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

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.

I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

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

I will enjoy 6 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

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

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.

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.