Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Larissa Malone

Medicalz Unitz

"Striving to be an educated adventurer, and never stop learning or exploring!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
614 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

85

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

275

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

300

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

298

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

3.0

trees

planted

Larissa's actions

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

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 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 120 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

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

Land Sinks

Choose Better Wood Products

Forest Protection

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings

Tour a Green Roof

Green and Cool Roofs

I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Become A Master Recycler/Composter

Recycling

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

Refrigerant Management

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Purchase a Carbon Offset

Efficient Aviation

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

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

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

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

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
Land Sinks Plant Trees

How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

Larissa Malone 4/26/2021 11:49 AM

I love trees. Having greenery in in my house helps keep me happy, and having a nice yard space with trees helps to give me a calm space to sit and enjoy the sun, and all the animals that come to see. We chose to save 2 trees that a friend was going to remove and throw away, so we took them and replanted them in our yard where they have more space. I'm hoping they do well in their new home!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Purchase a Carbon Offset

A round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles emits just over 1.5 tons of CO2—per person. That’s a lot of carbon! What can you do to reduce the number of flights you take per year?

Larissa Malone 4/26/2021 11:25 AM

This year many people, business and corporations have seen just how possible it is to have virtual or non in person meetings and groups. This reduces the amount of travel to large gatherings and functions that are sometimes unnecessary. I learned a lot about the possibilities of carbon offsets, and have chosen a few that fit my desires to offset my carbon use, and align with my passions of land use and natural spaces. I'm still learning about the impact of driving and flying and how to tell when to do each.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

How do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?

Larissa Malone 4/26/2021 11:15 AM

I don't believe stressing about things that I cannot change helps anyone. Instead I focus on making small changes to my lifestyle daily, and I choose to be proactive and thoughtful in my choices and habits. There is always something new to learn, and to teach others about how we can make these small but helpful changes. By focusing on these small impacts I can personally make, I can be pragmatic about the state of the world and our impact on climate change, while keeping a positive outlook.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Larissa Malone 4/26/2021 11:10 AM

I love the idea of small, networking communities within the larger city we live in. I wish every neighborhood had shared garden, composting, and other waste reducing spaces. There are also so many ways to recycle and reuse everyday products within a community that I wish we could look into. We need to change the way people work together and rely on their neighbors in order to make successful community change.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Support a Community Garden

What are the multiple benefits of community gardens, including carbon sequestration? Why do these benefits matter to you?

Larissa Malone 4/19/2021 12:28 PM

Here in Seattle we have many community gardens and grow spaces. The impact I like the most is that they help teach community members about gardening and plant care, and causes mindful thinking about where food and plants come from. I donated extra soil and pots to my local community garden!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?

Larissa Malone 4/19/2021 12:24 PM

There’s so much to learn about refrigerants that I never thought of or knew the impact of! I’m going to look into this more and try to change the way I think about large supermarkets and their impact. Who knew our cold food caused greenhouse gas impact?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?

Larissa Malone 4/19/2021 12:20 PM

Enjoying time outdoors connects me with the world. By exploring multiple types of ecosystems and different locations, I am learning about each place more and furthering my knowledge and understanding of each systems place in the world climate. I saw an alpine avalanche this weekend! Seeing (from far away) so much power helps me understand the natural forces shaping the landscapes around us!

Read More
Larissa Malone 4/13/2021 11:44 AM

I am so excited this has created an incentive to learn more about eco changes I can make in my personal life, and in the community! It is also so amazing how many things have changed in the 10 years since I learned about many of these subjects in college. I'm grateful to be able to update my knowledge! :)

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

How close is the nearest climate-friendly supermarket to your home? How could you encourage local supermarket to reduce or phase out their use of HFC refrigerants?

Larissa Malone 4/13/2021 11:38 AM

There is a large number of stores in the Seattle area that have some form of climate conscious refrigeration.

Read More
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?

Larissa Malone 4/13/2021 11:34 AM

Education is a powerful tool. By paying attention to what you discuss with others and spread good information. Pay attention when energy matters are on ballots, and when there are community hearings or panels, be active and informative.

Read More