Lisa Thamer

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 20 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

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

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

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

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.

I will give 1 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.

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

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

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.

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

I will spend 20 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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 only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

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

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

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

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 find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.