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Wendy Olmstead 4/16/2021 2:43 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!
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
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.
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 tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Coastal Wetland Protection
I will write 10 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Biochar Production
I will spend 20 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
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 10 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
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.
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
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.
LED Lighting
I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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.
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.
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 10 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Health and Education
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
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.
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 1 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
All Electricity Solutions
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.
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Solar Hot Water
I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Perennial Biomass Production
I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 30 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 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.
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.
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?