Land, Water, and Air

Care for Our Resources: Healthy Land, Water, and Air Sustain Us All

Clean land, water, and air are essential for all life on Earth. Every action we take to protect and restore these vital resources helps create a healthier, more balanced planet. Whether you’re cleaning up a local waterway, reducing pollution, or learning to minimize your impact, your efforts help ensure a cleaner, healthier Earth for everyone.

Understand My Water Footprint

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Water Footprint Calculator

The Surprising Water Footprints of 15 Common Things

How We Use Water
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Calculate My Carbon Impact

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Personal Carbon Calculator

Calculate Carbon Impact of Business, Travel, Events, and More

Terrapass: Offset Your Carbon Footprint
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Reducing energy use helps protect the air and climate. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy and reduce pollution.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Calculate Your Home's Annual Energy Use Compared to Similar Homes

How to Perform a Whole House Energy Audit (Video)

Energy Efficiency Scavenger Hunt
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend (___) minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Water Inequality: Figures and Data that Explore the Global Gap

Learn About Global Water Issues
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Learn to Choose Forest-Friendly Foods

Our food choices can help protect forests and wildlife. I will spend (___) minutes learning how to choose foods that are grown in ways that protect forests, such as avoiding products linked to deforestation and seeking certified sustainable options like shade-grown coffee or palm oil-free products.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Four Foods That Are Eating the World’s Forests And How to Choose Better

Find Rainforest Alliance Certified products

Your Purchases Impact Rainforests
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DAILY ACTION
Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Science Dishes Out an Answer on Handwashing vs. Dishwasher Debate

Guide to Sustainable Dishwashing
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DAILY ACTION
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper Products

Trees provide food and habitat for local wildlife species, shade our streets and homes, and help keep our air and water clean by capturing pollutants. I will learn about certification labels and buy wood and paper products certified as sustainable or recycled to protect forests and reduce environmental harm.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Explore Forest-Friendly Products with Forest Stewardship Council

Find Rainforest Alliance Certified products

Why Forests are so Important
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DAILY ACTION
Produce No Waste for a Day

The impacts of our waste are far reaching. I will create zero waste for an entire day and share my reflections and learnings on the feed.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How To Conduct a Household Waste Audit

Learn the Basics of a Zero Waste Lifestyle with Moji Igun and Tori (Financial Feminist Podcast)

Zero Waste Business Principles
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DAILY ACTION
Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Tips for Saving Water in the Shower and Bath

Learn about Water Efficient Showerheads

Take Five Minute Showers
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DAILY ACTION
Reduce Food Waste

Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Save Money and Reduce Waste with a Food Waste Diary

Tips for Storing Food Better to Reduce Waste

'Rescue' Food from Going to Waste at Your Local Stores and Restaurants
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DAILY ACTION
Reduce Vehicle Idling

Idling cars wastes fuel, contributes to climate change, and pollutes the air in our communities. I will turn off my engine when waiting in my car to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

What to Know about Idling in Personal Vehicles

Help Make Your School Idle-Free
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DAILY ACTION
Join a Cleanup Effort

Working together to clean up public spaces helps the environment and builds community. I will participate in (___) community cleanup efforts in my neighborhood or local area.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to Host a Cleanup

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Five Ways to Make Your Cleanup More Sustainable
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Collect Rain Water

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports gardens. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for (___) outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Learn the Basics of Harvesting Rainwater

How to Create a Rain Garden

How to Make a Homemade Rain Barrel
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Advocate for Green Spaces

Green spaces improve air quality, support wildlife, and enhance well-being. I will call or write (___) public officials per day to advocate for more green spaces around my town, particularly in neighborhoods that currently lack equitable access to green spaces such as parks and gardens.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Advocacy Toolkit from the National Recreation and Parks Association

Easy Ways to Write to Civic Leaders to Advocate for Parks

The Importance of Advocating for Green Spaces
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DAILY ACTION
Advocate for Wetlands and the Ocean

Wetlands provide critical habitat and protect against flooding. I will write (___) letters or emails per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Take Action Library from the Ocean Conservancy

Wetlands: Too Valuable to Lose

Take Action for American Rivers
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DAILY ACTION
Advocate for Forests

Forests are essential for clean air, biodiversity, and climate stability. I will write (___) letters or emails per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect forests in my community or beyond.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Learn about the Need for Forests

Action Library from American Forests

Learn about the Need for Forests
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DAILY ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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