Taylor Whitehead
"Make every day Earth Day!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,117 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO48meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO50minutesspent learning
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UP TO372minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO238minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO14zero-waste mealsconsumed
Taylor'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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn About Ocean Mammals
I am really concerned about the impact of rising ocean temperatures and plastics on whales, sea turtles, and other ocean mammals.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Electricity
Choose LED Bulbs
LED Lighting
I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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.
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.
Health and Education
Start a Social Media Campaign
Health and Education
Through social media, I will raise awareness about gender inequity in education by sharing the information found in the links below.
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
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.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Advocate For More Packaging Options
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 15 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Electricity
Explore Other Electricity Solutions
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 5 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Buildings
Replace Manual Thermostats
Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
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
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
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Health and Education
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
Health and Education
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Support a Community Garden
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
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 QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Zero-waste CookingIn North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for utilizing every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable, including the skins, tops, and stalks during your next meal prep?
Taylor Whitehead 4/30/2021 8:28 AMIf I am unsure how to use the entire veggie, I will google and find out to make sure I am aiming for a zero waste meal.-
Britteny Black 4/30/2021 9:08 AMThis is great! I'd also recommend checking out Max La Manna - he gives some great recipe ideas on Instagram and his book "more plants, less waste" is also very helpful! He does some amazing things with the whole cauliflower plant.
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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?
Taylor Whitehead 4/30/2021 8:27 AMTransportation choices affect my engagement with my community because when I am driving, I am so focused on driving that I do not notice nature the way I do when I am walking. Also, when I am walking I am able to interact with people who are also walking. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Climate Resilience Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or ImmigrantsGlobally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. What have you done in the past to support women-owned businesses? How can you better support communities by supporting women?
Taylor Whitehead 4/12/2021 8:29 AMAs a woman, I am passionate about supporting women-owned businesses. It is important for women-owned businesses to get exposure on social media that highlights the work women do for the business and their community. -
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?
Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:13 AMI would rather be able to put this money aside/in my savings instead of wasting food and money! -
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?
Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:13 AMMindful eating is a great opportunity for a screen break and also provides me with the time to be focused and intentional on what I am eating. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Tend A GardenHave you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.
Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:11 AMI cannot recall one specific experience in nature; however, every time I am outside, I try to be mindful and appreciative of nature. I appreciate nature by doing my part of picking up any rubbish along hiking trails and collecting trash on rivers when I go kayaking to dispose of the trash properly so that everyone can enjoy nature.-
Wendy Olmstead 4/11/2021 1:56 PMWhen I lived in Northern Ontario, I often encountered wildlife: bears, beavers, bats, wolves, lynx, fox, porcupine, and others. Each and every encounter always left me feeling in awe of nature and humbled.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:46 AMA silver lining of COVID has been remote work. This last year has shown us that virtual meetings can still be effective, productive, and honor our campus values and culture.-
Wendy Olmstead 4/06/2021 7:17 AMYes, and event attendance has increased as well!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Buy BambooAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:27 AMI have not seen too many bamboo alternatives, but prior to COVID when I would dine out, I would carry my reusable utensils (fork, spoon, knife, and straw).-
Erin Littlepage 4/06/2021 3:02 PMI think that they may be required along the Central Coast - I always see plant-based alternatives to plastic when I am there.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller PortionsWhile dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?
Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:25 AMIn addition to the environmental benefits, it is advantageous to eat and serve smaller portions while ensuring we adhere to the dietary guidelines to make a concerted effort for our overall health. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration DatesHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:24 AMThis knowledge empowers me to make better decisions by being less wasteful.