Andrea Valentino
"I don't want to protect the environment, I want to create a world where the environment doesn't need protecting."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,014 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO3.0donationsmade
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UP TO270gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO42meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO250minutesspent exercising
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UP TO425minutesspent learning
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UP TO810minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO2.0peoplehelped
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UP TO36plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO3.3pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO2.0treesplanted
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UP TO5.0zero-waste mealsconsumed
Andrea's actions
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Donate
Improved Clean Cookstoves
I will donate to nonprofits that install clean cookstoves in low-income countries.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Give a Microloan
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will give 2 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Buildings
Fix Leaky Faucets
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities. Fixing leaky faucets can save up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.
Health and Education
Fund Family Planning
Health and Education
I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.
Industry
Practice the 5 R's
Recycling
I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.
Industry
Recycle Everything I Can
Recycling
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.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 2
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.
Land Sinks
Choose Better Wood Products
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Keep Track of Wasted Food
Reduced Food Waste
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.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Electricity
Cut electricity consumption
I'll make it a daily habit to consciously look for ways to conserve electricity (e.g., turning off all unnecessary lights, unplugging idle appliances, only running full loads in the dishwasher/washing machine, hanging clothes dry as much as possible)
Industry
Go Paperless
Recycled Paper
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.
Industry
Choose Recycled Paper
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Industry
Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
Industry
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Bioplastics
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.
Industry
Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket
Refrigerant Management
I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Support Intersectional Organization
I will make a donation to an organization that works to fight climate change but also recognizes, raises, and supports intersectional issues (racial/gender/trans equality)
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Green Purchase Power
I will evaluate every purchase regularly made (from household to beauty to apparel to food) to make sure I am consistently supporting companies with a green mission and proven track record of conservation
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Smart Seafood Choices
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
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.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Support Companies Leading in Green Energy
Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics, Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
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.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Local Perennial Biomass
Perennial Biomass Production
I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Learn More about Silvopasture
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 30 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Plant Trees
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 2 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Electricity
Learn More about Biomass
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
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.
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.
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?
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Andrea Valentino 4/30/2021 9:00 PMThis was an awesome platform and transformative learning experience!!! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn More about Regenerative AgricultureClean air, clean water and healthy food are just three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons? How could/does regenerative agriculture positively impact you and your community?
Andrea Valentino 4/30/2021 8:56 PMRegenerative agriculture restores landscapes, increases biodiversity, decreases need for pesticides, increases human health, and is the most effective way of carbon sequestration. Industrial agriculture dominates/controls/destroys nature as opposed to working with the natural systems - regenerative agriculture is a healing and mutually beneficial practice. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Calculate My Carbon FootprintWhat stood out to you most about your carbon footprint? What surprised you or sparked curiosity? Where can you take most immediate action?
Andrea Valentino 4/30/2021 8:37 PMI was surprised by the electricity/gas consumption given our relatively conservative habits; I believe much can be attributed to heating/cooling the house. I will set the temp a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter as an immediate action. But this is a tiny step that needs to be amplified globally at the policy level by corporations and law makers if we are to expect any impactful change. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Give a MicroloanGlobally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. Why do you think that is?
Andrea Valentino 4/29/2021 9:00 PMAt the risk of generalizing, women are by nature more nurturing than men. Perhaps this explains their investing in families, communities, others versus men's single-minded idea of achievement and wealth-building. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Accelerating Solutions DonateHow are environmental issues like black carbon and other emissions from cooking fires or rudimentary cookstoves also human health and social justice issues? Why do these issues matter to you?
Andrea Valentino 4/28/2021 7:50 PMOpen fire cooking is a leading cause of death globally, impacting the world's poorest communities. Providing proper cookstoves not only reduces emissions/deforestation, but equally as importantly improves the health and well-being of vulnerable populations (mostly women and children, since the men are out of the house working). This matters because all human beings in every corner of the world deserve clean air (or help attaining it). -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Accelerating Solutions Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Andrea Valentino 4/27/2021 8:30 PMUnder current pandemic circumstances, "requesting virtual meetings" is a bit of a giveaway. However once offices open up again, I will certainly advocate for less travel when it can be avoided, as well as commuting to closer offices whenever possible to cut down on wasted time/money/emissions. This efficiency and optimization is in line with both conservationist values and Arch's culture. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric VehicleReducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?
Andrea Valentino 4/27/2021 8:14 PMWhile the environmental impacts of EVs would be most rewarding to me, other motivators include the economic aspect (gas savings and tax incentives) as well as helping to popularize EVs beyond the current 2% of new car sales. I fully plan on our next car being electric or hybrid. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Education Fund Family PlanningWhen family planning focuses on healthcare provision and meeting the expressed needs of women, it results in empowerment, equality, and well-being, and the benefits to the planet are side effects. Why is family planning an important civil rights consideration?
Andrea Valentino 4/26/2021 8:42 PMA lack of family planning gives rise to too many pregnancies that are too close together, which leads to undue physical/emotional/financial tolls on parents (and disproportionately, mothers). This is a civil rights consideration because too often family planning is denied to lower-income/lower-educated populations both domestically and abroad. This perpetuates the cycles of unjust stress and poverty. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBuildings Fix Leaky FaucetsWhat are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?
Andrea Valentino 4/26/2021 8:20 PMOther ways to reduce water usage at home include installing water-saving shower heads/toilets, taking shorter showers, not letting the faucet run unnecessarily (when brushing teeth/shaving/washing dishes), and only running full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Learn More About Geothermal EnergyGeothermal 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?
Andrea Valentino 4/26/2021 8:09 PMGeothermal energy has incredible potential, considering the amount of heat within 33k feet of Earth's surface contains 50k times more energy than all the oil and natural gas resources in the world. A challenging sector to invest in specifically (because of its small portion of most well-diversified green energy companies), I can still research/invest in the best geothermal stocks and advocate for increased funding for geothermal research, development, and incentives, etc.