
-
Wendy Olmstead 4/16/2021 2:43 PM
Modal Description
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.