Madison Guerrera

I will compost if possible. If NOT possible, I will spend 20 minutes researching the benefits of composting.

I will go to a farmers market 1x per week, or I will eat local at least 1 meal per week.

I will eat 3 meatless meals per week.

I will eat 3 meals per week without looking at my phone or TV.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

I will turn off the faucet while brushing my teeth. I will only run the dishwasher and washing machine as a full load. I will use energy efficient mode if available.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 15 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 7 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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

I will volunteer for a beach clean-up, campus clean-up / or pick up trash while on a walk ( I will be careful on being sanitary). If I am unable to do this, I will do something positive for my community.

I will use reusable bags and say no to disposable plastic bags at stores.

I will only print when absolutely necessary and I will print double sided.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about EcoBrick and make my own https://www.ecobricks.org

For 1 week, I will document my single use plastic usage, while I try to reduce my usage. This includes water/soda bottles, plastic utensils, food wrappers. Any plastic that is used ONCE and then thrown away.

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.

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

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

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

When driving, avoid excessive accelerating/braking in order to reduce car emissions.

When possible, and COVID safe carpool to campus or to the store. Even better, get on your bike or walk. Make the conscience effort.

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

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles

Every other day, or 3 x per week, research energy efficient technologies and renewable energy initiatives.

I will minimize A/C and close windows/doors when turned on. I will unplug electronics and appliances when not in use such as laptops, cellphones, coffee maker, toaster ovens (This does not include large items such as TVs/refrigerators).

I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will spend at least 7 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

I will spend 9 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

I will spend at least 6 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

I will spend 8 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

I will spend 4 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

I will spend at least 6 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will spend at least 8 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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

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

I will spend at least 8 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

I will spend at least 9 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will spend at least 6 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

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

I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.

I will spend at least 8 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

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 spend 7 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

I will spend at least 16 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.

I will commute by bike 6 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will commute by carpool 18 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.

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

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

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

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

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

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

I will write or call 1 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

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.