Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Stacy Strickland

Starbucks Partners for Sustainability

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
787 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

330

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

880

minutes

spent exercising

Stacy's actions

Electricity

Solar Water Consultation

Solar Hot Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Rooftop Solar Consultation

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Purchase a Carbon Offset

Efficient Aviation

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Calculate My Carbon Footprint

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Upgrade My Windows

Insulation

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

GREENER APRON

Complete the Greener Apron training through Starbucks Global Academy

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Install A Toilet Tank Bank

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Stacy Strickland 4/30/2021 8:41 AM
I only selected two daily actions for this challenge (the rest were one-time actions)... I feel that I did reasonably well at both of them, although my dashboard reflects differently. While I made sure to get outside for a 30+ minute walk on the majority of days, I didn't log in here to document it. I wish the system would allow for more updating of historical work done. At least my fitness tracker has the info! :)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Identify some ways in which modern human societies have become unsustainable. What kind of roles do individuals have in creating and changing practices in society?
Stacy Strickland 4/29/2021 9:04 AM
I believe that we vote with our dollar... so for me, it's important to purchase from companies who have sustainable practices and to purchase products that are planet-friendly. Some times these buying decisions cost more and aren't accessible to all. My hope is that the more demand increases, price will decrease and sustainable purchases will be more accessible to all. Until that happens (or in case it doesn't), we need policies in place to help make sustainable decisions an option for everyone.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

A round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles emits just over 1.5 tons of CO2—per person. That’s a lot of carbon! What can you do to reduce the number of flights you take per year?
Stacy Strickland 4/29/2021 8:47 AM
Since I travel for work, there is not much I can do about taking a flight every now and then. I book only direct flights when that is an option, since most carbon comes from take off and landing. And even though I didn't purchase any airline tickets to offset this month, I can/will make donations for future flights. And since I'm not 100% sold on any "carbon offset program," I can do this by making a donation to plant trees or improve agriculture/water in the places I travel.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

What stood out to you most about your carbon footprint? What surprised you or sparked curiosity? Where can you take most immediate action?
Stacy Strickland 4/29/2021 8:44 AM
I have a minimalistic, low/zero waste lifestyle and currently work from home and travel most places by foot. My home uses green energy and I eat plant based foods. Yet my carbon footprint still uses the resources of 4.9 Earths... all because of air travel. I so look forward to the day when there are better fuel options for flights (looking at you, Alaska Airlines) and perhaps until then, Starbucks can start offsetting my work-related travel (fingers crossed!)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Stacy Strickland 4/21/2021 4:03 PM
Since moving to Seattle last year, I've been more aware of water usage. At first it was because I was paying more for water, and then it was because I know there is a limited supply of potable water available on the planet. I first started a grey-water system by collecting water to use when flushing the toilet. Today I added a brick into the tank of both toilets in my house. I'm excited to see how this reduces my water usage even more!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Stacy Strickland 4/14/2021 2:22 PM
I have been starting my days with a walk and am loving seeing all of the plants in bloom this spring. It's a good time for me to connect with nature or listen to a podcast to learn something new.

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Stacy Strickland 3/24/2021 1:24 PM
Welcome to the team, Partners! I'm so excited for Earth Month. I've selected some actions to help encourage me to opt outside through the month, learn a bit more about a few areas where my knowledge is limited, and to build some new habits. I look forward to learning with you - and having all of us complete the latest Greener Apron course this month also! #proudtobeyourpartner

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