April 1 - April 30, 2021

Armando Acevedo

"To protect the world from devastation! To unite all peoples within our nation! To denounce the evils of trash and gas! To extend my reach to the stars above!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
708 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

4.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

177

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

125

minutes

spent outdoors

Armando's actions

Action Track: Climate Resilience

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

Buildings

Explore Other Buildings Solutions

All Buildings Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 10 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Practice the 5 R's

Recycling

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Explore Other Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions

All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Explore Other Electricity Solutions

All Electricity Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics, Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Research Native and Invasive plants

Learn information about some native and invasive plants in your area including how to identify them and their effects on other plants. It is important to be conscious of where native plants are found, but also just how prevalent invasive species also are. One could then identify invasives in their yard and cultivate natives instead.

COMPLETED 3
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 5
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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Calculate My Carbon Footprint

All Drawdown Solutions

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.

COMPLETED
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

Ocean Acidification

I will watch at least 30 minutes worth of documentaries and videos about ocean acidification and ways we can slow this down. I chose this because the planet's oceans are a vital source of biodiversity and responsible for many important processes that we depend on.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

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

Electricity

Earth Hour

Turn off the lights for one hour on April 20th from 8-9pm.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Industry

Choose Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Tour a Green Roof

Green and Cool Roofs

I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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.

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

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

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
Electricity Earth Hour

How was your experience with the lights out? Did you find that it changed your normal habits?

Armando Acevedo 4/22/2021 12:02 AM

For the hour while my lights were turned off, I spent time with my grandpa just shopping for items we needed. Before and after we left, the house was strikingly dark, and I really felt like this one hour was saving a LOT of electricity for us. Had we stayed indoors, we wouldn't have much to do, and that's why we shopped.
I might plan to shut my lights off from now on, for at least 10 minutes any day that it crosses my mind. Cause sometimes I really just don't need them on, and over time this will save a lot of energy.

Read More
Armando Acevedo 4/19/2021 9:00 PM

I've made a lot of progress on learning new things about sustainability solutions last week! This week is Earth Day. Look at these cute trees I found at Target! Perfect for getting together with friends or family to plant some trees for Earth Day (In a safe and healthy way of course). This makes me wonder if there are any local events happening to plant trees. It might be worth looking into.

Read More
- Roxane Beigel-Coryell 4/20/2021 8:24 AM
  
  What sweet little trees! We will be planting two trees on campus next week for Arbor Day and Earth Month. It will be livestreamed on the sustainability Instagram if you want to tune in! @sustainabilityatcsuci
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Support Companies Leading in Green Energy

Every dollar you put into solar or wind is a dollar not put into traditional financial institutions. You'll also be bolstering the fossil fuel divestment movement, too. Name some companies you know that invest in green energy. How can you support them?

Armando Acevedo 4/17/2021 5:41 PM

I was surprised to learn about the big changes both Apple and Bank of America are doing to reduce their carbon footprints! They are not only making sure that facilities of theirs are powered by solar, or wind energy but also buying carbon offsets for the unavoidable CO2 that their companies produce. I have made business with these companies already and will make sure to continue this because of their goals and actions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Plan to Insulate

What are some of the benefits of making your home more energy efficient?

Armando Acevedo 4/15/2021 4:20 PM

A benefit of making the home more energy efficient is the savings you'll gain because of it! You'll be spending less on heating and cooling your home, and using less water or fuel for other things you do in the house.
The environmental benefit is that, the emissions for that extra energy you are avoiding won't be created.

Read More
Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 10:21 PM

I just watched a great documentary called "Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification", which discusses the problem of how the pH of the oceans is rising. I would highly recommend to watch it as well. Understanding this problem connects more pieces to why we should steer away from fossil fuels and other processes that emit plenty of CO2.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

How close is the nearest climate-friendly supermarket to your home? How could you encourage local supermarket to reduce or phase out their use of HFC refrigerants?

Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 12:59 AM

The closest climate-friendly supermarket is only 10 minutes away from me, and I've visited this place without knowing about this aspect of the store!
I suppose, in order to encourage other supermarkets to reduce or phase out HFC refrigerants is to show examples of how other stores are doing it, why it is important, and any potential selling points that they could use to gain customers.

Read More
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?

Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 12:43 AM

Having a community garden built, especially in an area that was once barren or not in use, can have a measurable change in carbon sequestration from the air as the plants take in CO2 and expel oxygen gas.
If the people cultivating the garden are also eating the food they produce, then this will reduce waste from packaging that would have otherwise been used to deliver the produce. This matters to me because there will be less waste in the world needing to be broken down, and less CO2 emitted through transportation of produce.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Choose Recycled Paper

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?

Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 12:32 AM

I will make the effort to see where and how I can recycle the huge amount of paper I use. This will increase the supply of recycled paper out there, so that companies see that using recycled paper is reliable, too!

Read More
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?

Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 12:21 AM

A sustainable community in my mind has fresh food sources very close by such as orchards, and farms. This limits energy used in transporting the food and also the amount of packaging necessary. On the other end, food waste and other scraps would have some systematic way of being turned into energy to fuel the community, and more food production.
Communities would have to grow to understand where the food on the table comes from and know that they can get that healthy, fresh food without all the packaging, from a farm nearby.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Climate Resilience Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Armando Acevedo 4/13/2021 12:17 AM

I have never heard of the term silvopasture before. I figure, after learning about it, that the biggest advantage in silvopasture is providing the livestock with a variable habitat on the farm ensures that the livestock is healthier and less stressed. It also can increase diversity around the farms that incorporate this method.

Read More