Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Gretchen Krumpe

Asheville High School Spring 2021!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
511 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

393

minutes

spent learning

Gretchen's actions

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 80 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

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

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 Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

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

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 78 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Bioplastics

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 40 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 25 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/30/2021 11:10 AM

My city can make its climate action plans equitable by listening to the people most greatly affected by the issues and hearing what they think needs the most change and listen and be advised by professionals. Money for this can be found by fundraising or reallocating money from positions or services that are no longer needed.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More About Geothermal Energy

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?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/29/2021 10:28 AM

To me the most feasible investment would be for the government to pay to implement geothermal energy. While it is a big investment, the reliability and efficiency of it would be worth the money. Especially paired with other forms of sustainable energy, this could make a big difference.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/28/2021 9:04 AM

To me, a sustainable community looks like larger schools and manufacturers using technologies like methane digesters if possible to help reduce their carbon footprint. For this to happen people would need to be properly educated about it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More about Biomass

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!

Gretchen Krumpe 4/27/2021 9:05 AM

I had not heard of biomass technology before this. I was surprised to learn how many different ways biomass can be used.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Research Peatlands

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?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/26/2021 9:10 AM

I can start buying things that use palm oil alternatives and make sure I’m buying products that have been certified by the Rainforest Alliance. I can also educate myself more on whats happening, not just in my country but all around the world and use my voice to spread awareness.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Learn about Temperate Forests

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?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/20/2021 10:48 AM

Learning about this has made me more conscious of the things I’m doing or products I’m buying that might be adding to it and I’ve started thinking about things I can do to help the problem. Some parts that feel overwhelming are the statistics, like how long it might take to see actual change and the amount of land that is affected. Some things that help me feel helpful is knowing more people are doing their part and being educated about these things, so a solution isnt unachievable.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/19/2021 12:06 PM

Some things I can do to decrease my negative impact and increase my positive impact are stop buying as many products with palm oil in them and start using palm oil alternatives. I can also start reducing the amount of meat, dairy, and eggs I eat and look for plant-based alternatives. When shopping for things like chocolate and coffee I can look to make sure the products have the Rainforest Alliance sticker.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/15/2021 10:12 AM

I hadn’t heard of silvopasture before. I think one of the biggest advantages of them is the extra protection they provide to the livestock, as well as the physical changes in the cows, like more milk produced and more consistent weight gain. I also think the counteracting of methane and other carbon emissions is very beneficial.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/14/2021 10:58 AM

I will use the different definitions of the use by, sell by, and best by dates as a guide to consuming it in a timely manner and how to properly store it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Gretchen Krumpe 4/12/2021 2:09 PM

Some barriers that exist to women's equal participation and representation in my community is unnaccesible health care in underserved parts of the community.

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