Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Christina Hamilton

Asheville High School Spring 2021!

"I hope to learn more about my environment and what I can do for my planet!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
421 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

296

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched

Christina's actions

Industry

Bioplastics

Bioplastics are a promising solution to plastic waste and climate change… but they aren’t necessarily sustainable. Find out why!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 48 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 20 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 20 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?
Christina Hamilton 5/01/2021 1:45 PM
My city needs to consider it's long-time residents before acting on any issue that appears to help the city, but may actually not. For example, the french broad river park was previously a landfill and was converted to a beautiful park. This park is available to everyone to use and therefore does not result in gentrification.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?
Christina Hamilton 4/29/2021 9:25 PM
Installing a geothermal heat system in my future home, especially if I build my own home, would be feasible (depending on the location I decide to settle down in). Also suggesting others look into this system, especially if they are building their own homes, would be feasible.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
Christina Hamilton 4/29/2021 8:30 PM
A sustainable community looks like a group of people that function in such a way where they leave no negative impact on their environment through the way they live. To start, our consumerism mindset greatly contributes to our negative impact on our environment, and that needs to change.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!
Christina Hamilton 4/29/2021 6:03 PM
I haven’t heard of biomass technology before this. I was most surprised that biomass energy can be used to make gasoline and jet fuel, and that it was such an effective solution to produce clean energy.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
Christina Hamilton 4/26/2021 12:19 PM
In the next election I can vote, but until then I can advocate for the protection of peatlands to my local government. I can also purposely avoid food with palm oil in them and encourage my friends and family to do the same!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Christina Hamilton 4/22/2021 9:09 PM
What concerns me the most is how little most people are willing to do to have a better impact on the planet. Some people don’t even believe climate change is real or an important issue.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?
Christina Hamilton 4/20/2021 7:22 AM
1.I am becoming more worried and concerned for the health of our planet. I hope to adjust my actions, but more importantly make an influence on others by using my vote and setting an example.
2.The biggest issue is industries such as the fishing industry or the dairy industry. Although I have my vote, I can’t make much of an influence on these things that are way bigger than me.
3.I know that others are here fighting for our earth with me, and that they care just as much as I do.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Christina Hamilton 4/19/2021 10:23 PM
I had not heard of the term silvopasture before now. In my opinion, the most important influence silvopasture has is its direct positive influence on the earth. It means less destruction of forests and less CO2 in the environment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Christina Hamilton 4/19/2021 10:22 PM
I had not heard of the term silvopasture before now. In my opinion, the most important influence silvopasture has is its direct positive influence on the earth. It means less destruction of forests and less CO2 in the environment.

Read More
- Christina Hamilton 4/19/2021 10:27 PM
  Sorry! Wrong question, here's my correct reflection:
  I will try to ignore most dates and evaluate products based on their odor or look. I am vegan so I don’t have to worry about my food getting spoiled for the most part. I mostly just look for mold!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Christina Hamilton 4/19/2021 9:49 PM
Contraceptives not only help lower our population size, helping protect our environment and our global economy, but also allows women to plan their family size, adjusting based on their financial and personal needs. Studies show the more children a family has, the more that family has to spend, and the more that family dives into poverty.

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