
Knowing this helps me waste much less food.
Modal Description
Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown expert in no time!
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
All Transportation Solutions
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.
Walkable Cities
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 90 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
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.
Onshore Wind Turbines, Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics
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.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 75 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Coastal Wetland Protection
I will write 3 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids
I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.
All Electricity Solutions
I will research and tell 3 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
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.
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
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.
Forest Protection
I will contact 3 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws, as well as the rights of local people to protect and restore the land in their communities.
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 3 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 60 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
Improved Clean Cookstoves
I will donate to nonprofits that install clean cookstoves in low-income countries.
Abandoned Farmland Restoration
I will contact 3 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
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.
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
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.
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
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.
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.