Gretchen Egging

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

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

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

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

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

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 source 100 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.

I will spend 90 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

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.

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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

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.

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

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

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 1 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

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.

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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.

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

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 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 calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce my negative impact on the environment.

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

I will spend at least 90 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

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