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Destiny Suarez 4/28/2021 12:45 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!
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.
LED Lighting
I will replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
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 spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
I am really concerned about the impact of rising ocean temperatures and plastics on whales, sea turtles, and other ocean mammals.
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
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.
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
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 6 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Farm Irrigation Efficiency
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 5 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.
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.
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.
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 5 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.
Recycling
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.
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
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.
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.
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.
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
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.
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 5 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
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?