Brandon Whitley
"Lifetime Goal: Get my parents to recycle."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,716 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
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UP TO1,715conversationswith people
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UP TO2.0documentarieswatched
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UP TO3.0donationsmade
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO990gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1.0lightbulbreplaced
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UP TO26locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO16meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO48milestraveled by bike
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UP TO1,825minutesspent exercising
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UP TO947minutesspent learning
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UP TO500minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO4,276minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO2.0peoplehelped
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UP TO8.0plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO411pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO3.3pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO11public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO3.0treesplanted
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UP TO4.0zero-waste mealsconsumed
Brandon's actions
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Donate
Improved Clean Cookstoves
I will donate to nonprofits that install clean cookstoves in low-income countries.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Local Perennial Biomass
Perennial Biomass Production
I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Advocate for Solar Installation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
Electricity
Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries
Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids
I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.
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.
Transportation
Stay on the Ground
Telepresence, High-Speed Rail
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
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
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
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
Support Nutrient Management
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Explore Other Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
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
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Electricity
Explore Other Electricity Solutions
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
Electricity
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Action Track: Climate Resilience
Learn More about Biomass
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
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.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Express My Support For Walkable Cities
Walkable Cities
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Express My Support For Equitable Biking Infrastructure
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
Action Track: Accelerating Solutions
Communicate With My Elected Officials
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 1 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Transportation
Explore Other Transportation Solutions
All Transportation Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.
Transportation
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.
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 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Industry
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
Bioplastics
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.
Buildings
Research Heat Pumps
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
Land Sinks
Contact your Elected Officials
Abandoned Farmland Restoration
I will contact 1 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.
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.
Land Sinks
Learn about Temperate Forests
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Advocate for Wetland Protection
Coastal Wetland Protection
I will write 1 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
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.
Electricity
Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits
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.
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.
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.
Buildings
Tour a Green Roof
Green and Cool Roofs
I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.
Buildings
Explore Other Buildings Solutions
All Buildings Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.
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.
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.
Health and Education
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.
Health and Education
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
Health and Education
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Health and Education
Connect With A Nonprofit
Health and Education
I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans and nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Health and Education
Host a Film Screening
Health and Education
I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.
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
Support Local Food Systems
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 10 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.
Electricity
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.
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
Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives
All Electricity Solutions
I will research and tell 1 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
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.
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
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 120 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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
Give a Microloan
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will give 2 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.
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.
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
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Transportation
Go by Bike
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will commute by bike 12 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
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.
Transportation
Improve a Bus Stop
Public Transit
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.
Industry
Research Cement Alternatives
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 120 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
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
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
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
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.
Industry
Properly Dispose of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
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.
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.
Buildings
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Buildings
Learn about the Legacy of Redlining
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
Buildings
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.
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
Upgrade My Windows
Insulation
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Buildings
Research Retrofitting Incentives
Building Retrofitting
I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 180 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Land Sinks
Plant Trees
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
Land Sinks
Learn More about Silvopasture
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Land Sinks
Advocate for Forest Protection
Forest Protection
I will contact 2 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.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Land Sinks
Choose Better Wood Products
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
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
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 60 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.
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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Brandon Whitley 4/30/2021 5:07 PMAhhhhh, the final day is upon us. That was a lot of fun! -
Brandon Whitley 4/29/2021 12:18 PMJust making sure we finish strong! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Brandon Whitley 4/29/2021 12:15 PMAs long as a virtual meeting still meets the goals of the purpose of the meeting then it shouldn't be an issue. -
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?
Brandon Whitley 4/29/2021 12:14 PMSharing the facts of emissions on gas-fueled vehicles compared to EV's and other fuel efficient vehicles is the best way to get others involved. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Climate Resilience Advocate for Solar InstallationHow does advocating for rooftop solar connect to your values? How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?
Brandon Whitley 4/28/2021 8:08 PMBy continuing to be my normal annoying self and bringing up things like renewable/clean energy whenever I think of it. -
Brandon Whitley 4/28/2021 7:06 PMearth month challenge is almost over and I'm ready to close this tab on my computer :)
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REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Stay on the GroundWhat was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
Brandon Whitley 4/27/2021 11:07 PMI am a road trip master, so planning for a long road trip as opposed to a flight is a piece of cake for me. I just needed to locate cool places to sleep and avoid rush hour if I'm driving through a major city. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Choose Recycled PaperGood job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?
Brandon Whitley 4/27/2021 11:05 PMNot using paper at all, or using paper created as a by-product of something like hemp could be a next step. Of course only using a computer and cutting out paper altogether is an option as well. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Support Nutrient ManagementHow does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
Brandon Whitley 4/27/2021 11:03 PMFeng shui is considered a pseudoscience, but for me personally (and for all humans I believe) my environment really plays a role in my state of mind. I tend to flock to people and places that share my sense of environmental quality. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Support Indigenous Peoples' Land ManagementIndigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?
Brandon Whitley 4/27/2021 11:00 PMSustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, this requires not consuming more than we put back (balance).