Kimberly Velasquez
"Encourage Environmentalism or enjoy a wasted planet in 15 years. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,204 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO10conversationswith people
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO1,590gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO9.0meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO361minutesspent exercising
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UP TO355minutesspent learning
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UP TO287minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO90minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO3.3pounds of paperhave been saved
Kimberly's actions
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.
Transportation
Advocate For Greener Vehicles
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles
Health and Education
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
Health and Education
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers in person or by posting to social media.
Land Sinks
Research Peatlands
Peatland Protection and Rewetting
I will spend 10 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 10 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 10 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Land Sinks
Support a Community Garden
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Tend A Garden
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
Farm Irrigation Efficiency
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Composting
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
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.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
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.
Buildings
Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Buildings
Learn about the Legacy of Redlining
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
Research Cement Alternatives
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Industry
Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend 10 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
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
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives
All Electricity Solutions
I will research and tell 10 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
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.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 5 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
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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REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Advocate For Greener VehiclesHow does advocating for green vehicles in your community connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to fuel-efficient vehicles?
Kimberly Velasquez 5/01/2021 12:00 AMGreen vehicles are new technology, the quicker we embrace it, the more advance we can become. Tesla may have its issues with miming but they have done wonders to bring electric cars to a new level. -
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:58 PMI am proud that we got close to beating Fullerton. Next time (: -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:58 PMAccessible and affordable transportation should be available to everyone. Everyone needs to go to work and they shouldn't have to die trying to get halfway to work. I personally love to go biking, but I love to drive at night. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Go PaperlessWhat do you want to prioritize over material 'stuff' in your own life?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:56 PMI despise cluttered spaces, so I am a bit of a minimalistic. I still have personal items that I keep, but I try to reduce how much stuff I buy and bring into my home. Whenever I shop, I try to leave one thing behind so I reduce my spending and short-term gratification. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat MindfullyMindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:50 PMWhen you actually focus on your food instead of distractions you can make improvements in your cooking. You notice the flavors and textures of what you are consuming. I've started to eat healthier because I realized I don't really like chicken in my dishes unless prepared in certain ways. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Keep Track of Wasted FoodAn average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. How would you rather use this money?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:49 PMI would invest half of it and save the rest of it for future expenses. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCoastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:48 PMI think my diet choices fall within these guidelines for the most part. I would love to be vegan, but I need just a little more money to incorporate that into my life. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Research Cement AlternativesConcrete is a good example of a material that most of us encounter every day, but its carbon footprint may not be obvious. What other everyday materials might have a large carbon footprint? How can you find out more?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:46 PMConcrete is so ugly anyways, let's switch it up and use other materials. Let's modernize our roads to create renewable energy with new technologies. I do not think people think just how much plastic is in our life. We need to reduce all plastic in our life as much as possible. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Education Research Barriers to Participation and RepresentationWhat are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:44 PMI think the environment around me has done a good job at uplifting women. However, there are still many social issues that women are facing worldwide. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Recycle Everything I CanHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?
Kimberly Velasquez 4/30/2021 11:42 PMI dislike how quick people are to jump to recycle. That is literally the last step. We need to emphasize that we need to REDUCE and REUSE first before you recycle. Half the time, people are just doing "wishful-recycling." A recycling center is not a magical place, clean your waste and sort it first.