Today the areas of the city that are warmer are those same areas that were redlined. The more desirable areas of the cities have more trees, less heat. We all want the same things: beauty, peace, health. It is so important that as we prepare our cities for climate change, we keep in the forefront of our minds affirmative action that would correct the racist policies of the past. Cities will invest in revitalization, naturalization. That results in beautification and subsequent gentrification. We should be looking towards alternative means by which to access desirable housing: cooperative housing, subsidised housing. I hope for a future of climate justice. Thank you to the drawdown team for including these types of topics in the eco-challenge.
Roxane Millette
"Engaged supporter part of the critical mass. On campus, I channel my efforts through the imagine change group, the commuting working group and the faculty union. Focused on public and active transportation, and diverting investment away from fossil fuel extraction towards green energy instead. The Eco-challenge is an opportunity to see how much we can affect change by amplifying our own contribution through collective action. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 998 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO730minutesspent exercising
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UP TO160minutesspent learning
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UP TO2.0public officials or leaderscontacted
Roxane's actions
Transportation
Muscle Power on Earth Day
I will cut green house gas emissions related to my commute to John Abbott College on Earth day, April 22. I will only use muscle-powered transportation (walk, bike, skateboard) for my commute.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Enable the organization of knowledgeable experts to advocate for climate justice
I donated to Equiterre because I appreciated the articles they wrote about the need to divest the caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec from fossil fuels.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Save Rigaud Mountain
Rigaud Mountain is an expansive natural resource that we rely upon to run many of our Outdoor Education courses, here at JAC. It is under extreme pressure from development and mismanagement, and in desperate need of protection. Facing COVID and the Climate Crisis, the need to protect our few remaining local intact forests, is more stronger than ever. We need them, for our health and wellness, and they are disappearing. If you are able, please support this important cause and take a few moments to forward this letter to others who understand its importance. The petition and funding pages are accessible through the "Learn More" button.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
divestment research & advocacy
I researched how much of my pension fund is invested in the fossil fuel inductry. I contacted 2 unions to tell them that it was important for me that they negotiate full divestment of my retirement fund by 2023.
Transportation
MUSCLE POWER ON EARTH DAY
I will cut green house gas emissions related to my commute to John Abbott College on Earth day, April 22. I will only use muscle-powered transportation (walk, bike, skateboard) for my commute.
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.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 15 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.
Buildings
Learn about the Legacy of Redlining
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
Buildings
Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Buildings
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Industry
Properly Dispose of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
Industry
Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.
Transportation
Express My Support For Equitable Biking Infrastructure
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
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.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings Learn about the Legacy of RedliningHow does city planning and design relate to equity and climate change?
Roxane Millette 4/29/2021 12:49 PMMy last action was to find out about redlining. It's a policy that was instituted in the USA in the 1930s to facilitate home ownership for certain folks, but not others. Different areas of the city were color-coded according to the safety of the loan for the investors, except that one of the major factors determining whether the loan was whether the area had many ethnic residents. So in effect, while folks got the loans and accessed better private properties. Another completely unfair practice that I didn't know about.
Today the areas of the city that are warmer are those same areas that were redlined. The more desirable areas of the cities have more trees, less heat. We all want the same things: beauty, peace, health. It is so important that as we prepare our cities for climate change, we keep in the forefront of our minds affirmative action that would correct the racist policies of the past. Cities will invest in revitalization, naturalization. That results in beautification and subsequent gentrification. We should be looking towards alternative means by which to access desirable housing: cooperative housing, subsidised housing. I hope for a future of climate justice. Thank you to the drawdown team for including these types of topics in the eco-challenge. -
Roxane Millette 4/29/2021 12:31 PMI feel really good about having fulfilled all the pledges on my dashboard! I enjoyed the eco-challenge. I learnt a bunch of stuff, one challenge at a time. Thank you to all who posted encouraging messages and pictures of plants and delicious meals. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Properly Dispose of RefrigerantsHow do you address your own feelings of concern, fear or despair about climate change?
Roxane Millette 4/22/2021 5:58 PMI seek out reports about the climate crisis. Every time I hear more news about it, I try to channel my anger/concern into an action. Much like this eco-challenge, I think of what could I DO to push for change in the right direction, or what could I go to amplify someone else's effort. I cope better now that I take part in collective action about climate change than when I just informed myself and did my individual thing. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCoastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Building With Carbon Storing Waste ProductsHow feasible do you think it is for society to build with agricultural waste products?
Roxane Millette 4/21/2021 9:56 AMMore feasable than I thought.
Sheep-wool for insulation seems to have better properties than the mineral wool we use. So why do we use a non-renewable, lower performing alternative? Cost?
I hadn't heard of hemp as a building materials. I'm tempted to try as garden walls...
Also unaware that cupboards could be made out of rice husks, without any paraformaldahyde. I'm not into renovations. I like old stuff as it is, but should I need to fix kitchen or bathroom cupboards, I would definately look for rice husk panels.
I pledged to learn about building with agricultural waste products because I was looking for an eco-friendly floor covering for my bathroom. Bamboo seems great for other rooms, but i hesitate for the kitchen and bathroom because of the water that is likely to drip to the floor pretty frequently. I was looking for eco-linoleum, as in not full of chemicals. Not yet I guess...
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Roxane Millette 4/22/2021 6:07 PMYou're right. I did confuse linoleum with vinyl. I'll check out the water resistance....and the slection of bright colors! -
Melissa Tomecz 4/21/2021 1:50 PMI thought bamboo was highly resistant to water or pretty waterproof ... but it is still not really recommended for kitchens or bathrooms. Have you thought about recycled glass tiles or cork flooring? Also, linoleum does NOT have chemicals. It often gets confused with vinyl, which is made of synthetic materials. Check out the 10 most popular eco-friendly flooring. I would check the water resistance of linoleum, though. As some say it is resistant, while others say it needs to be treated occasionally.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?
Roxane Millette 4/19/2021 9:59 AMFrom what I read, an investment in urban improvement (cleaning up a shoreline, creating a park) must be linked to some type of program that allows for the residents of the area to be able to continue to afford living in the newly improved area. If left to the market, green gentrification pushes the inhabitants out of the area they traditionally lived and worked. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings Plan to InsulateWhat are some of the benefits of making your home more energy efficient?
Roxane Millette 4/19/2021 9:22 AMLess heat is lost in a well insulated home. My energy audits say that my home uses 25% more energy than a typical home the same size. I rent the place so I can't committ to attic or basement retrofititng for better insulation. I already cover the windows with plastic and seal the window frames. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Express My Support For Equitable Biking InfrastructureWhat do you like most about biking in your city? What would you like to improve?
Roxane Millette 4/15/2021 12:01 PMOh wow! I just called Baie d'Urfee to request the improvement of some road surfaces which I often use to cycle. They informed me that the constuction work is scheduled to start this June. Made my day!! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Accelerating Solutions Save Rigaud MountainAfter signing a local petition, how does it make you feel?
Roxane Millette 4/11/2021 9:22 AMI'm so glad to see a bunch of local citizens opposing the infringement of natural areas that everyone can enjoy by construction of private property. Most of us think it's a pity, but how many of us actually mobilize and invest time and effort in opposing these projects. Signing a local petition amplifies their voice. It makes me feel more included as part of the community, more aware of what's at stake, more active about it. Signing the petition is also an expression of gratitude to my fellow citizens . It conveys: "Thank you for taking this on for our greater good. You may call upon me for further support".