Abigail Resendes

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

I will eat 3 meatless meals per week.

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

I will compost if possible. If NOT possible, I will spend 20 minutes researching the benefits of composting.

I will go to a farmers market 1x per week, or I will eat local at least 1 meal per week.

I will eat 3 meals per week without looking at my phone or TV.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

I will turn off the faucet while brushing my teeth. I will only run the dishwasher and washing machine as a full load. I will use energy efficient mode if available.

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 spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

I will volunteer for a beach clean-up, campus clean-up / or pick up trash while on a walk ( I will be careful on being sanitary). If I am unable to do this, I will do something positive for my community.

I will use reusable bags and say no to disposable plastic bags at stores.

I will only print when absolutely necessary and I will print double sided.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about EcoBrick and make my own https://www.ecobricks.org

For 1 week, I will document my single use plastic usage, while I try to reduce my usage. This includes water/soda bottles, plastic utensils, food wrappers. Any plastic that is used ONCE and then thrown away.

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.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

When driving, avoid excessive accelerating/braking in order to reduce car emissions.

When possible, and COVID safe carpool to campus or to the store. Even better, get on your bike or walk. Make the conscience effort.

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 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

Every other day, or 3 x per week, research energy efficient technologies and renewable energy initiatives.

I will minimize A/C and close windows/doors when turned on. I will unplug electronics and appliances when not in use such as laptops, cellphones, coffee maker, toaster ovens (This does not include large items such as TVs/refrigerators).

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 write or call 1 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

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.