Skip to main content
April 1 - April 30, 2021

PCC SOC 228 - Environmental Sociology Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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?


  • Elyse Richardson's avatar
    Elyse Richardson 5/02/2021 8:48 PM
    I learned a lot from the Ecochallenge this past month. I have cut back on meat and dairy products and had the chance to explore the city around me. I have also made use of many reusable items like plastic containers from stores. Because I have had smaller portions and spent a lot of time eating without distraction, I have learned more about my body and even shed a few pounds this month. I would recommend this challenge to anyone looking to make a change not only for themselves, but for the planet and society as a whole as well.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Sinks Buy Bamboo
    Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

    Sadie Carnes's avatar
    Sadie Carnes 4/30/2021 8:15 PM
    I have found that depending on where you shop or where you eat there are bamboo alternatives, specifically natural food stores or restaurants that cater to compostable products. Alternatives that I have researched range from products made out of mushrooms, hemp, banana leaves, agave, seaweed, and pressed hay. It was really cool researching compostable alternatives because I had no idea that you could make packaging out of these products! Except for agave; I am a bartender and at my work our straws are made out of agave and I immediately thought that it was so cool! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Industry Research Cement Alternatives
    Concrete 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?

    Timothy Larkins's avatar
    Timothy Larkins 4/30/2021 3:15 PM
    Concrete has a notoriously large carbon emissions footprint and as such any alternatives that can have the durability and cheap material requirements for large scale operations would be a great boon for the environment. That being said, the two most notable ones that interested me were fly ash blocks that are composed of fly ash from burning coal and blocks made from jute or hemp. Both have similar press resistance as a concrete block would but also tend to have high temperature endurances which means they are less prone to cracking or splitting. However they do have some downsides, for one, they still need a binding agent which often times has to be a synthetic products which means it loses its not as environmentally friendly as could be, and secondly the jute or hemp blocks are more expensive then a traditional concrete block.

  • Natalie Ovena's avatar
    Natalie Ovena 4/30/2021 8:56 AM
    This month I’ve been more cognizant of my actions than ever. I’ve changed my mindset and realized that little changes in my life can go quite a long way especially if others do it with me. 

  • Kim Smith's avatar
    Kim Smith 4/30/2021 2:33 AM
    It has been so fun to learn about how to create healthy soil!  All of my plants are coming along well, including all of the kale that self-seeded itself.  We will have lots more food in no time. 

    Plus, I finally finished an EcoChallenge commitment that I made in 2019 - we built our Little Library.  :)


  • Sadie Carnes's avatar
    Sadie Carnes 4/29/2021 7:15 PM
    Since I have started keeping track of my food waste, I have found new ways to create meals as well as new additions to meals that I have been eating for years. For example, I am always hesitant when I need to buy lemons or limes, as I usually just use half of them and then throw the other half out. So instead of wasting the remaining halves, I have been making my own salad dressing using seasonings, olive oil, vinegar, and lemon or lime. I had never done this in the past because it always seemed boring or unsatisfying, but now after making myself try it again I realize that it is absolutely delicious on a fresh salad! It has also been a good reminder that taste buds change! And what I thought I used to not like, I may not like :) just another positive realization from starting a food waste journal! 
  • 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?

    Sadie Carnes's avatar
    Sadie Carnes 4/28/2021 6:42 PM
    I looked up some ideas for utilizing food scraps and I realized that I can take the peels and ends of onions, the tops of celery, the carrot skins, and the potato skins, and use them to all together to make a vegetable broth. I never thought to do this before. I use vegetable broth pretty often to cook my quinoa in. Therefore, not only am I using all parts of the vegetables, but I am also saving the plastic/cardboard that I would normally purchase store bought vegetable broth in. Can't wait to try this out! 

  • Elyse Richardson's avatar
    Elyse Richardson 4/28/2021 12:00 PM
    Eating plant based is something that never appealed to me. Now that I have taken the time to have one plant-based meal a day has allowed me to explore more diverse meals while still eating clean. I typically eat some fruits or veggies for my vegan meal each day, but I have been experimenting with meat substitutes as well and have enjoyed those too!

  • Elyse Richardson's avatar
    Elyse Richardson 4/27/2021 10:32 PM
    I have really been enjoying eating mindfully. I have learned to take the time to actually enjoy my meal along with my surroundings. I started eating outside on my back patio too!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Education 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?

    Sadie Carnes's avatar
    Sadie Carnes 4/27/2021 9:49 PM
    I have supported women owned restaurants, distilleries, boutiques, crystal shops, herbal shops; I find myself more inclined to purchase a product or visit a store if I know that it is women led. If I support women owned businesses I can then hope that these women are putting that money back into their neighborhoods and communities.