April 1 - April 30, 2021

Anika Rajesh

"My mission is to learn more about how I can make a positive impact in my community through research and climate advocacy."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,604 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

99

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

332

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1,095

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

3,390

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

3.0

trees

planted

Anika's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Tend A Garden

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

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Hang Laundry Outside to Dry

I will hand one load of laundry a week outside to dry instead of using the dryer.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Plan to Insulate

Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Research Retrofitting Incentives

Building Retrofitting

I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 15 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 15 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Participate in one of the NCMNS Earth Day programs on April 22nd.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has prepared an Earth Week event starting from April 20th to April 25th. To celebrate Earth Day, participate in 1 program on April 22nd and write a short reflection in your feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting with black soldier grubs

Learn about NC's native Diptera that has one of the widest digestive enzyme profiles, allowing for digestion of virtually all human food waste in one to two days: pre-and post-consumer; cooked, raw, or spoiled. Sign up for this workshop and discuss with your team members:

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 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 3 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

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?

Anika Rajesh 4/29/2021 3:04 PM

I can't believe that the Ecochallenge is almost over! I've had so much fun working in my garden, and I will continue to learn more about sustainable gardening practices.

Read More
Anika Rajesh 4/25/2021 3:02 PM

So many seedlings! I cannot wait too see how they turn out.
.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Participate in one of the NCMNS Earth Day programs on April 22nd.

What program did you choose and why?

Anika Rajesh 4/22/2021 5:00 PM

I chose the "Breaking the Silence: The Role of Emotions in the Climate Emergency" program. I decided to participate in this program to learn more about the climate emergency, not just on a scientific scale but also on a social level. Through Dr. Margaret Salamon's insights on the issue, I was able to see the lack of climate change discussion on news programs and even in general conversations with friends and family members. Most importantly, Dr. Salamon emphasized how it is necessary to learn about climate change and take ownership of what is happening to our planet. If we can relate climate change to our daily lives, we will truly understand the impact of climate change, and we are more willing to make an impact. Her perspective provides optimism with how America and the rest of the world can use public-private partnerships, government actions, and a collective realization of the emergency in order to fight it.

Read More
Anika Rajesh 4/21/2021 3:19 PM

I was so happy to see this on Google, as it relates to the SUPPORT BUSINESSES OWNED BY WOMEN action!

Read More
Anika Rajesh 4/15/2021 8:17 AM

My Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown is going great! Despite the current pandemic and school commitments, it is important to stay focused on helping the planet through eco-friendly practices, and the Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown is allowing me to do just that.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Research Peatlands

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?

Anika Rajesh 4/11/2021 11:32 AM

I can make choices that help protect peatlands through advocacy and environmentally-friendly gardening practices. For example, I can reach out to elected officials to tell them to protect peatlands and other wetlands. I can also stop using peat moss for gardening so that I do not put pressure on the world's peat supply.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Hang Laundry Outside to Dry

Did you see anything in nature while you were hanging your laundry?

Anika Rajesh 4/11/2021 9:36 AM

Yes! I saw lots of birds outside, including cardinals, robins, sparrows, and an eastern towhee.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?

Anika Rajesh 4/10/2021 4:32 PM

I learned that family planning not only supports women in their strive for upward mobility but also impacts the environment. If women had more access to contraception, reproductive healthcare, and education, they could secure the right to plan pregnancies instead of having unintended pregnancies. The offshoot of this would be a lower carbon footprint. Different people's needs in different places are similar because the necessity for more access to reproductive healthcare is universal. At the same time, women in low-income countries are more likely to struggle to purchase contraception because of poverty.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Plant Trees

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

Anika Rajesh 4/10/2021 4:18 PM

Planting trees is good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health because it gives you a purpose. For example, because you have to water the trees every day, you get a break from work and school, and you feel like you are helping the environment in some way. This is a healthy activity because it forces you to go outdoors, and it also relaxes your mind.

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

Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

Anika Rajesh 4/07/2021 7:04 AM

In addition to sequestering carbon, biochar can improve soil quality for degraded soils without the need for fertilizers for agriculture, retain nutrients for composting, and release renewable energy that can be used instead of fossil fuels.

Read More