Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Natalie Nery

Asheville High School Spring 2021!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
871 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

42

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

323

minutes

spent learning

Natalie's actions

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 40 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 30 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 20 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 25 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 30 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!

COMPLETED
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 35 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 20 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 30 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 32 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 36 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Make School More Affordable

Health and Education

I will raise funds to help make school affordable for girls around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

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

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Health and Education Make School More Affordable

Why is it important that girls have equal access to education in order to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions?

Natalie Nery 4/30/2021 9:32 AM

It is important that girls have equal access to education because doing so will reduce emissions by having girls make their own choices about children, jobs, and will encourage them to make healthier choices for themselves and the planet.

Read More
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?

Natalie Nery 4/30/2021 9:29 AM

My city can make its action plans equitable and socially just by installing green spaces in an area without increasing the cost of living in that area, encouraging residents to buy local and support local farmers, and to reduce policing and improve access to resources in lower-income communities like access to a higher standard of education, fresh food, and green spaces.

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?

Natalie Nery 4/29/2021 9:13 AM

I think a large public investment seems feasible if the US moved towards renewable energy sources and completely cut out our use of fossil fuels and non-renewable resources. I think using resources like geothermal energy would be smart. I can invest in geothermal energy by pressuring the government to install those systems.

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?

Natalie Nery 4/28/2021 9:00 AM

My vision of a sustainable community is one in which farming, producing, and energy are smaller-scale and local. Everyone is healthier as a result, and sustainable practices help communities cut down on their emissions and carbon footprint. People would need to choose local, organic, and plant-based foods, as well as opt for renewable energy sources.

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!

Natalie Nery 4/27/2021 9:04 AM

I had never heard of biomass technology before this. I learned that although it is a renewable and clean energy source, it is important for us to use other renewable energy sources in order to keep our habitats balanced and healthy.

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?

Natalie Nery 4/26/2021 9:09 AM

I can reduce my consumption of processed foods, and make sure I check labels for palm oil. I will also stop drinking coffee, as I don’t feel like I need it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?

Natalie Nery 4/23/2021 12:43 PM

I learned that many of the chemicals sued in refrigerants are extremely potent greenhouse gases that can damage the stratospheric ozone layer. Supermarkets contribute to this impact by releasing these chemicals into the atmosphere when consumers open the refrigerators.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Bioplastics

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Natalie Nery 4/23/2021 12:07 PM

What concerns me the most is how our mindless lifestyles are slowly killing, destroying, and corrupting the planet- and all of those things are happening to us too. However, if we act quickly to break this cycle- starting with ourselves- a difference can be made.

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?

Natalie Nery 4/20/2021 8:59 AM

The impact that it has is that I consider the health of the environment and others more carefully before making choices about food, activity, and day-to-day actions. I feel overwhelmed by the massive impact humanity has had on our world, but I feel hopeful about some current conservation and restoration efforts that are taking place.

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?

Natalie Nery 4/19/2021 10:10 AM

My diet is currently impacting deforestation by contributing indirectly to it through my consumption of cocoa, dairy, meat, and egg products. I am decreasing my negative impact by choosing more plant-based protein options when I can, and by trying to purchase foods that are not processed.

Read More