Nigel Brown

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 enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 360 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

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

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

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

I will spend at least 240 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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

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.

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

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Earth Month Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

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

I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

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.