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Deborah Kim (Ecochallenge.org Staff) 4/20/2021 4:51 PM
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Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown expert in no time!
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 52 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.
Onshore Wind Turbines, Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.
LED Lighting
I will replace 20 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Health and Education
I will spend at least 21 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Health and Education
I will spend at least 100 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
Peatland Protection and Rewetting
I will spend 2400 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 2400 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
All Buildings Solutions
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.
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.
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 500 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Perennial Biomass Production
I will spend at least 100 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 500 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Insulation
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.
Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
Building Retrofitting
I will spend at least 2400 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 82 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 8 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Forest Protection
I will contact 50 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws, as well as the rights of local people to protect and restore the land in their communities.
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 9 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
All Electricity Solutions
I will research and tell 10 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 80 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 1000 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
I will pick up light bulbs
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
Improved Clean Cookstoves
I will donate to nonprofits that install clean cookstoves in low-income countries.
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles
Health and Education
I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.
Health and Education
I will raise funds to help make school affordable for girls around the world.
Health and Education
I will donate 33 Femme Kit(s) to help people who menstruate overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.
Health and Education
Through social media, I will raise awareness about gender inequity in education by sharing the information found in the links below.
Health and Education
I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities. Fixing leaky faucets can save up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will give 50 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.
Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids
I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.
Walkable Cities
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.
Coastal Wetland Protection
I will write 50 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure
I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 500 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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.
Recycling
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 6 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 2400 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
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.
Solar Hot Water
I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.
Health and Education
I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans and nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Coastal Wetland Restoration
I will volunteer 100 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 1000 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 444 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 2400 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
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.
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Abandoned Farmland Restoration
I will contact 50 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.
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.
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 2400 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
Bioplastics
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 44 friends, family and/or colleagues.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 6 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Farm Irrigation Efficiency
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
Refrigerant Management
I will spend 2400 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.
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.
Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 2400 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
Bioplastics
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 5 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Recycling
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.
Recycled Paper
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.
Reduced Food Waste
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.
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 2400 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Take a walk for 20 minutes. Relax, take note of the beautiful plants and flowers that are emerging. Let it inspire you ...
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 2400 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.
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Biochar Production
I will spend 2400 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.