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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Mike Refsland's avatar

Mike Refsland

DLR Group- Minneapolis

"Make meaningful change in daily actions, make the world a better place every day. The Power is YOURS!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,237 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    43
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    260
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    160
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    13
    minutes
    being mindful

Mike's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Advocate for Solar Installation

Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Sustainable Woodworking Materials

I build houses for native bees, birds, and bats in our garage woodshop. I will research sustainable alternatives to ensure all materials, finishes, and fasteners I use are sustainable and sustainably sourced!

COMPLETED
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 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Improve a Bus Stop

Public Transit

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products

Engineered Sinks

I will spend at least 30 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Smart Seafood Choices

Ocean Farming

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

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.

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

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 30 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Communicate With My Elected Officials

Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines

I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

UNCOMPLETED
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
    Transportation Improve a Bus Stop
    How can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:15 AM
    The covid pandemic has shown how important good transit systems are to cities, i will definitely increase my bus/LRT ridership after we're all vaccinated.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Sinks Choose Better Wood Products
    Beyond carbon sequestration, what other benefits do forests offer you personally?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:14 AM
    Forest bathing! I love a long hike thru the woods, soothing for hte soul!
  • 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?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:14 AM
    Community gardens not only provide food closer to table, but also provide for a central gathering space for neighbors.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Education Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
    Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. What have you done in the past to support women-owned businesses? How can you better support communities by supporting women?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:13 AM
    We are super lucky to have several woman-owned amazing businesses in our neighborhood. Shout to Sarah Jane's Bakery and Coffee Shop NE, two perennial favs!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
    What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:12 AM
    In the USA we have dismal parental leave policies, therefore when families have children it's often the woman who has to pause a career, take extended time off, and potentially lose career opportunities to care for a child. We gotta fix this!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Communicate With My Elected Officials
    What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:11 AM
    I'm inspired to act on sustainable energy to help reduce my carbon footprint!

  • Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/30/2021 6:10 AM
    Last day of the EcoChallenge! Thank everyone for being part of this amazing MSP team, and make sure to knock out any last minute challenges to put us over the top with CHI!!!

  • Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/29/2021 11:51 AM
    One more day until the EcoChallenge ends, go DLR Group Minneapolis!
  • 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?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/29/2021 5:10 AM
    Being out in nature on long walks helps you experience nature, which cements it in your mind.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
    Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

    Mike Refsland's avatar
    Mike Refsland 4/26/2021 10:12 AM
    I would love to have the ability to fuel my vehicle with renewable energy, instead of gasoline. Imagine a zero-footprint road trip!