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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Taylor Whitehead's avatar

Taylor Whitehead

Stan State Eco Challenge Earth Month Team

"Make every day Earth Day!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,117 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    48
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    50
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    372
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    238
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    14
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

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.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Tend A Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Explore Other Electricity Solutions

All Electricity Solutions

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings

Replace Manual Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Plan to Insulate

Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Buy Bamboo

Bamboo Production

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Conduct Virtual Meetings

Telepresence

I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Zero-waste Cooking
    In 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's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/30/2021 8:28 AM
    If 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's avatar
      Britteny Black 4/30/2021 9:08 AM
      This 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. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Use Muscle Power
    How 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's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/30/2021 8:27 AM
    Transportation 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 QUESTION
    Action Track: Climate Resilience Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
    Globally, 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's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/12/2021 8:29 AM
    As 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 QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Keep Track of Wasted Food
    An 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's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:13 AM
    I would rather be able to put this money aside/in my savings instead of wasting food and money!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat Mindfully
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Taylor Whitehead's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:13 AM
    Mindful 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 QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Tend A Garden
    Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

    Taylor Whitehead's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/11/2021 12:11 AM
    I 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's avatar
      Wendy Olmstead 4/11/2021 1:56 PM
      When 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. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Conduct Virtual Meetings
    How can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?

    Taylor Whitehead's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:46 AM
    A 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. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Sinks Buy Bamboo
    Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

    Taylor Whitehead's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:27 AM
    I 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's avatar
      Erin Littlepage 4/06/2021 3:02 PM
      I think that they may be required along the Central Coast - I always see plant-based alternatives to plastic when I am there. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller Portions
    While 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's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:25 AM
    In 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 QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
    How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

    Taylor Whitehead's avatar
    Taylor Whitehead 4/05/2021 10:24 AM
    This knowledge empowers me to make better decisions by being less wasteful.