April 1 - April 30, 2021

Melissa Tomecz

"Being part of John Abbott's Sustainability Committee has made me dig further into important issues, such as implementing the 17 SDGs and looking into waste management at our institution. The Eco-challenge will be a driving force to keep me inspired."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,716 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

4.0

donations

made
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

660

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

280

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

100

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

3.0

people

helped

Melissa's actions

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Explore Other Electricity Solutions

All Electricity Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Accelerating Solutions

Save Rigaud Mountain

Rigaud Mountain is an expansive natural resource that we rely upon to run many of our Outdoor Education courses, here at JAC. It is under extreme pressure from development and mismanagement, and in desperate need of protection. Facing COVID and the Climate Crisis, the need to protect our few remaining local intact forests, is more stronger than ever. We need them, for our health and wellness, and they are disappearing. If you are able, please support this important cause and take a few moments to forward this letter to others who understand its importance. The petition and funding pages are accessible through the "Learn More" button.

COMPLETED
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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
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

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 10 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Online Energy Audit

Multiple Solutions

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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 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

Health and Education

Help Students Overcome Health Barriers

Health and Education

I will donate 3 Femme Kit(s) to help people who menstruate overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Explore Other Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions

All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management

Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure

I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.

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?

Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2021 3:56 PM

I did it---I went for my walk in this nasty weather! But I had to! It was the last day of the challenge :) I learned more, rather than changed my daily habits. This does not mean that I haven't changed anything. It means that I was already aware of sustainable practices and already do some of them (from last year's Ecochallenge and plastic-free month). I found there was so much to know about this time around because of all the solutions presented to us. It is so positive when you can see how these solutions are actually working in places, and how everybody could try a combination of these solutions to improve our planet. Sadly, I found out that what I eat seems to be my biggest carbon footprint (dairy, eggs and fruits), even though I have a car. We have started to implement delicious meatless/vegan meals and they really have become favourites. We will need to explore more of these options when we do our meal planning, in future. I didn't get to go for my walks every day, but it really made a difference when I did! So thrilled that our team did quite well, overall. I am beaming with pride :)

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Explore Other Electricity Solutions

What is the most exciting solution you explored? Why is it exciting to you?

Melissa Tomecz 4/30/2021 6:38 AM

The landfill methane capture is the one solution that seemed like such an obvious choice for immediacy. It should be implemented right now everywhere, while we work on using other methods for energy solutions. We already have so much waste, we should use that and turn it into energy, instead of letting it release tons of methane, adding to pollution. As we reduce and reuse, hopefully there will be less and less waste going to landfills.

Read More
Melissa Tomecz 4/28/2021 5:09 PM

As promised, my tulips in (mostly) full bloom!

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?

Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2021 2:03 PM

The fact that I like eggs and dairy is the biggest impact right now. I have already started looking at products that contain palm oil. I try to avoid buying chocolate or products that may have it. I do buy certified green frog coffee. I also made the switch last year to chew Chicza organic gum, which supports the local community that harvests it and which biodegrades in my compost! No more chewing synthetic plastics and worrying about the fact that it will never break down.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about Biochar

Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

Melissa Tomecz 4/27/2021 1:14 PM

Definitely! When used properly, it is a wonderful fertilizer for growing crops, when mixed with other nutrient rich organisms (such as compost). Its usage as feed for cows would also reduce the methane that is produced by them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Explore Other Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions

What did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?

Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2021 11:23 AM

That urine can be used as a safe and alternative fertilizer! It is amazing how something so abundant and natural can be re-used in other ways, which also helps with saving water too. Possibilities for eco-solutions are endless!

Read More
Melissa Tomecz 4/26/2021 6:48 AM

Hello team! One week to go :) So proud of where we are! If you want to read further on environmental issues and see some films on the topic, you can find a list of selected sources (SDG 13: Climate Action) in the Sustainability Committee Community on Omnivox. I also have the list as a word document, so I can send it to you. Just email me! I could not attach the document here.

Read More
Melissa Tomecz 4/25/2021 7:06 PM

Dinner tonight! Sweet potato falafels, with quinoa salad and sautéed mushrooms:

Read More
Melissa Tomecz 4/24/2021 3:10 PM

It was so beautiful today, I decided to use the last weekend of April to explore my nature park, that has forest and wetland. The best part is that it takes 10 minutes to walk there from our house!

We saw a woodpecker, squirrel, and this chipmunk!

The usual trail we take. Part of the trail was closed, as it was under construction.

I have never seen this wild flower before!

There were geese and ducks here. In warmer weather, you can spot turtles, fish and herons.

The part of the marshlands that they need to build a walkway for (where our trail ended)

Read More
Melissa Tomecz 4/23/2021 7:13 AM

Hi all,
For the action on muscle power to JAC campus on Earth Day, the date has been postponed to April 29th, so please apply it accordingly!

Read More