Nicki Viso

Humboldt State University, CSU Earth Month Challenge

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
880 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

9.6

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

35

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

65

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

230

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

221

minutes

being mindful

Nicki's actions

Buildings

Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

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

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

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.

COMPLETED 29
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 12
DAILY 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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Local Food Systems

Plant-Rich Diets

I will source 20 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Buildings 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?

Nicki Viso 4/29/2021 9:59 AM

when thinking about adding green spaces - are we looking at rent control around the area? are we considering public transportation, walkability, or bicycle paths to these green spaces? these issues are more complex - more community members need to be involved and represented at the "table" when having these discussions or making decisions. the process may take longer, but it is crucial to not leave out perspectives/experiences of others.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Nicki Viso 4/12/2021 9:43 AM

my vision includes upcycling items for a new purpose, farmer's markets every weekend, community potlucks, right to repair laws that allow people to repair their items, clothing swaps, community gardens, bus and train systems that get you to where you need to go, options to barter /trade services/things rather than pay money for things/services, emphasis on tiny houses, less lawns and more natural landscapes, rain water catchment systems (especially useful in our area), composting is a regular practice for everyone. Some of these things are happening on a small scale - part of the change comes from individual action, and part of it comes from systems and laws changing.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Use Muscle Power

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

Nicki Viso 4/07/2021 9:39 AM

I walk every day to and from work, and then for about 45 minutes afterwards around my neighborhood. I really like looking at the different houses, there are a lot of outdoor cats on my walking route. I feel more connected to the community, and that the element of "we, not me" is strengthened by this practice.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Support Local Food Systems

Dependable fresh food, supporting local farmers and building resilient communities are just a few benefits of local food systems. Which of these (or other) advantages inspire you the most?

Nicki Viso 4/07/2021 9:37 AM

Dependable fresh food is the one that inspires me the most - I started a container garden this year! I enjoy spending my time in my little garden, and eating the food I grow feels so NEAT. I don't have a better word for it right now.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

Nicki Viso 4/07/2021 9:36 AM

This was really difficult yesterday - I usually eat in front of the TV or watching something on my phone, and I finish my meal really quickly. I tried to slow down this time, and I noticed I was able to be more in tune with when I felt full and satisfied.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Tend A Garden

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

Nicki Viso 4/07/2021 9:34 AM

When I moved to Humboldt County, the natural surroundings were so stunning, it literally took my breath away. I know that sounds really cheesy and cliché, but it's true. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old - it really puts my own life on this floating rock into perspective, that I am but one small blip. This perspective has allowed me to take myself less seriously in some ways, putting myself under less pressure to perform "success" within the narrow capitalistic mindset I was raised in.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

Nicki Viso 4/07/2021 9:31 AM

I think what people eat is more nuanced than the question implies - there are local and cultural contexts to people's diets that are often ignored in the larger question of how to reduce the amount of meat we are eating globally. For me personally, I find that if I eat red meat for dinner, I am much more sluggish and lethargic; less so when I eat pork, chicken, or seafood.

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