Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Shayne Magdoff

NCW Sustainable Community

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
878 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

40

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

520

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2,312

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

15

trees

planted

Shayne's actions

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 26
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 60 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 2 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 120 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Keep Track of Wasted Food

Reduced Food Waste

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.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 10 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

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 28
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Shayne Magdoff 4/30/2021 9:09 AM

Does anyone know about mulching your trees?

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Shayne Magdoff 4/30/2021 9:08 AM

Recently received the updated Waste Management flyer that indicates glass is now again being recycled. I called to verify that this was for our area - East Wenatchee etc. - and was told that glass is now back on our list of recyclables.
If anyone else wants to call and verify as well - go for it.

Read More
Shayne Magdoff 4/30/2021 9:06 AM

Website to see various environmental films that you can see through several outlets - Netflix, Hulu etc.
Some films we saw at the Museum - Cowspiracy, Plastic Ocean and others.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Documentaries+about+the+environment&setlang=en-us&mkt=en-us&form=M401SU&OCID=M401SU

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about Biochar

Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

Shayne Magdoff 4/30/2021 9:03 AM

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Documentaries+about+the+environment&setlang=en-us&mkt=en-us&form=M401SU&OCID=M401SU

This really is not a reflection question, but this morning I went to the site above and it highlights 11 environmental films that you can watch on various outlets - Netflix, Hulu etc. They have Our Planet, Conspiracy and Plastic Ocean among others. Just wanted to share

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Shayne Magdoff 4/27/2021 8:47 AM

It has been wonderful having such good weather to get our garden in order. The weeding has been difficult from the work side, but very enjoyable to be outside on the pleasure side.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Keep Track of Wasted Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. How would you rather use this money?

Shayne Magdoff 4/27/2021 8:44 AM

I don't really concern myself with the money saved - luckily I don't have many needs. However, one thing I have never liked doing was WASTING money. Nor time or energy. Just like being efficient.
I like having more time to do whatever else I like.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

Shayne Magdoff 4/24/2021 9:58 AM

Primarily due to religious and cultural issues. At least that was true earlier on.
It appears that richer countries have more disposable incomes so they can add meat - a more expensive food item to their diets.
Developing countries that begin to increase the middle class are also starting to eat more meat - because they can.
Demand continues to be great.
Although from a health perspective eating less meat is also better for us, it has been difficult to change the minds and tastes of most people. The fact that it takes more land to produce the food for all these animals - we also have to deal with the methane produced from the excrement. It is a vicious cycle..

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Shayne Magdoff 4/15/2021 10:36 AM

This was really a re-check on the differences in the above dates. I do know that many people through good food out when the believe any date on an item means - through it out once that date passes. I don't. Sell by means that - not that the food is bad - just the store can no longer sell it. We buy items like that all the time - marked down of course - and then freeze it for when we prefer eating or using the item.
This may be wrong, but i keep yogurt long after the date listed - and have never had anything taste or smell bad. Just as good. So it allows me to spend more wisely and waste much less food. Good for me and good for the environment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Climate Resilience Tend A Garden

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

Shayne Magdoff 4/13/2021 2:06 PM

When we built our home, we also built a beautiful raised be garden. This winter has been difficult - as it has for most of us. It was so exciting to finally be able to work in the garden and begin to get it ready. We are, after 3 years, able to eat our asparagus and loving it. I don't think it is current, but over the years we have lived here, I so appreciate my surroundings and the beauty we have in the valley. it's everywhere. I know you may feel differently, and when there is smoke it does get pretty bad, but GENERALLY, our air is light and feels refreshing. I just don't want to ever get complacent about it - of course - so far I haven't.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Shayne Magdoff 4/13/2021 2:02 PM

To be honest - my husband and I have very little waste.
Scraps go to the chickens - or my husband who refuses to throw anything away - even if it tastes bad. We have a garden so I really want to step up our composting - chickens provide a lot of material as do grass cuttings, shavings, egg shells. I just get a good feeling about being able to use this stuff and it is wonderful for the garden. If I produce too much - well there are always friends!

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