Mandeep Sekhon

I will start a compost bin where I live.

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.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Earth Month Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

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

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has prepared an Earth Week event starting from April 20th to April 25th. To celebrate Earth Day, participate in 1 program on April 22nd and write a short reflection in your feed.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

I will hand one load of laundry a week outside to dry instead of using the dryer.

I will spend 20 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

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 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

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 explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.