Brittany Prischak

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

I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

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

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.

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 3 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.

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

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.

Learn about the new hydro-electric plant that will provide clean energy to county facilities!

I will purchase food from a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant. Establishments that have earned a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant designation have demonstrated a commitment to take economic, environmental, and social actions that benefit the region. See the link provided for more information and a list of designated restaurants.

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

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 cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

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.

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

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

I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

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

Get connected with nature in one of our own Allegheny County Parks. Explore one or more of the many well-marked hiking trails throughout the parks. The link outlines different options for finding and navigating each trail, including a smart phone app.

I will research Hydro-Electric power and learn more about the two recent low-impact Hydro-Electric dam projects planned for the Pittsburgh Region. How will these projects help provide more locally produced renewable energy for the region? What are the pros and cons of low-impact Hydro-Electric projects. https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/news/pitt-s-hydropower-plans-spark-new-clean-power-commitment and https://www.alleghenycounty.us/county-executive/allegheny-county-hydropower.aspx