Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Patrick Bernier

JAC Sustainability

"Making small changes now helps to make big changes later."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
986 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

50

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1,220

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

450

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

950

minutes

spent outdoors

Patrick's actions

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 45 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Climate Resilience

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Muscle Power on Earth Day

I will cut green house gas emissions related to my commute to John Abbott College on Earth day, April 22. I will only use muscle-powered transportation (walk, bike, skateboard) for my commute.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Save Rigaud Mountain

Rigaud Mountain is an expansive natural resource that we rely upon to run many of our Outdoor Education courses, here at JAC. It is under extreme pressure from development and mismanagement, and in desperate need of protection. Facing COVID and the Climate Crisis, the need to protect our few remaining local intact forests, is more stronger than ever. We need them, for our health and wellness, and they are disappearing. If you are able, please support this important cause and take a few moments to forward this letter to others who understand its importance. The petition and funding pages are accessible through the "Learn More" button.

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 45 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 27
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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products

Engineered Sinks

I will spend at least 60 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 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

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

Multiple Industry Solutions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

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?

Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:50 PM

One of the things I have learned in this eco challenge is how little is being done in Canada. I am happy to see all the new ideas and practices being done in Europe and the United States but I don't see anything being done here. What? is it because we are an oil producing country. Is that it?

Read More
- Roxane Millette 4/30/2021 5:21 PM
  
  I got a bit of the same feeling as Patrick. Many of the solutions presented were interesting, from building alternatives to city planning, all being applied elsewhere, not sure if available locally, but I will look...
  
  Read More
- Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2021 3:31 PM
  
  Vote for the Green Party. It is clear Conservatives don't have an environmental agenda and the Liberals have done poorly with their "green" promises.
  
  Read More
- Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2021 3:29 PM
  
  We need to change this and encourage new companies to succeed, instead of being bought out. There are so many things that Canada's business industries can do to improve sustainable practices and use clean energy. There is proof these things work elsewhere! The people need to advocate strongly for this! And it starts with targeting specific businesses and the government.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?

Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:44 PM

This is one of those weird questions. It seems like stopping the leaks would save money and the environment. I don't understand why it is not done.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:39 PM

I live in the country so when I go on my daily walks, with the dog of course, I see the changing of the seasons. The forest is filled with deer tracks in the winter and now in spring all the returning birds. It is just glorious. Fills your inner being.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research Cement Alternatives

Concrete is a good example of a material that most of us encounter every day, but its carbon footprint may not be obvious. What other everyday materials might have a large carbon footprint? How can you find out more?

Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:35 PM

I am happy that there is progress in making concrete a little more eco friendly. The next one to look at is asphalt and it's colour.

Read More
Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:30 PM

Thank you to our team Captain Melissa Tomecz. You have done a great job!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions Save Rigaud Mountain

After signing a local petition, how does it make you feel?

Patrick Bernier 4/30/2021 12:22 PM

It feels good. I had a cottage in Rigaud for many years. Beautiful area....if it stays green.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

Patrick Bernier 4/27/2021 11:55 AM

I must admit that I found this one too be a little lame. Basically I do all these things be being cheap. I can't say that I even know anyone that would fit their 'fast fashion' profile. I was hoping for more in this topic .

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products

How feasible do you think it is for society to build with agricultural waste products?

Patrick Bernier 4/27/2021 11:50 AM

I do not see why it wouldn't be feasible. Sad that they not not many Canadian examples.

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?

Patrick Bernier 4/26/2021 7:58 AM

I had never heard of this before. It makes so much sense. Not much information about it's use in Canada however.

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

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!

Patrick Bernier 4/26/2021 7:01 AM

I did watch a documentary about biomass before. I can't say that I am very keen of the idea. Sounds too much like "We are just going to burn down all the trees." Saying that they are going to use just dead wood is bullshit. All in all it just seems like corporate lies to me.

Read More
- Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2021 11:34 AM
  
  If I could choose a cleaner energy source, biomass certainly would not be the first thing on my mind. I also cringe a bit when I know how it is made. Is it really improving anything? Unfortunately, most alternative energy sources will have some kind of drawback to the environment and still produce some carbon. The thing to research is which one would do less damage. It would also depend on where one lived. Anything is better than fossil fuels.
  
  Read More