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Bakhtavar Desai's avatar

Bakhtavar Desai

Faith Communities Go Green Team 2024

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 80 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Bakhtavar's actions

Action Track: Community

Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans

I will spend 5 minutes learning more about the importance of freshwater + ocean conservation, and how I can reduce my water use. I will share what I learn with people in person, on social media, and on the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species. I will spend 5 minutes each day learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Endangered Species

Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 5 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Leave No Trace

I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace whenever I am outside.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Invest in Nature

A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 5 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Plastic in Clothing and Water

Synthetic clothing can contain plastic and shed harmful microplastics into our water. I will use a microplastics catcher in my laundry, or install a microplastics filter for my washing machine.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Biodiversity + Wildlife

Biodiversity and Me

I will spend at least 5 minutes each day researching what biodiversity is, how biodiversity positively impacts our world, and how the loss of biodiversity harms it. I will share what I learn on the feed.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate + Air

Consume only Needs vs Wants

The more stuff we consume, the more greenhouse gasses we put into the atmosphere. I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach this month and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate + Air

Calculate My Carbon Impact

Carbon emissions can show up in many surprising ways in our life. I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate + Air

Stay on the Ground

Carbon emissions from air travel is harmful to planetary and human health. Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate + Air

Low Carbon Diet

Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere in a variety of ways, including through the foods we eat and food we waste. I will learn about low carbon foods and replace higher carbon foods with them in my diet.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Climate + Air

Online Energy Audit

Energy use and waste is often invisible. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

UNCOMPLETED
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
    Climate + Air Low Carbon Diet
    Which high carbon foods will you eat less of, and what are some low carbon options you'll choose instead?

    Bakhtavar Desai's avatar
    Bakhtavar Desai 4/01/2024 10:30 PM
    I don't eat land meat, but eat seafood occasionally. I will eat less seafood from now on, and increase my plant based food intake even more.

    Consuming less animal-based food can reduce agriculture's need for land and water.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Biodiversity and Me
    What did you learn about biodiversity and how are you connected to it through everyday actions?

    Bakhtavar Desai's avatar
    Bakhtavar Desai 4/01/2024 10:11 PM
    I work with an organization as a volunteer that uplifts lives in the most remote regions in Liberia, hence this caught my attention, and I hope I can visit this beautiful place someday!
    Sapo National Park in Sinoe County, Liberia, is the countries largest protected area of rainforest and it’s the countries only national park. It is also one of the last places on Earth to experience virgin rainforest. If you wish to visit Sapo, please note, it’s vital to inform the appropriate authorities and have a professional support network.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Learn about Native Species
    What did you learn about a native plant or animal species in your region?

    Bakhtavar Desai's avatar
    Bakhtavar Desai 4/01/2024 9:59 PM
    The zygomorphic flowers, which we think of as the millions of weeds in our yards, are bright red-purple, with a top hood-like petal, two lower lip petal lobes and minute fang-like lobes between. The corolla shows a line of hairs near the base of the tube. They may be produced throughout the year, including mild weather in winter. This allows bees to gather its nectar for food when few other nectar sources are available. It is also a prominent source of pollen for bees in March/April when bees need the pollen as protein to build up their nest.

    It is often found alongside Henbit Dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule), which is easily mistaken for it since they both have similar looking leaves and similar bright purple flowers; they can be distinguished by the stalked leaves of Red Dead-nettle on the flower stem, compared to the unstalked leaves of Henbit Dead-nettle.

    Though superficially similar to species of Urtica (true nettles) in appearance, it is not related and does not sting, hence the name "dead-nettle".
    Its uses are:
    Young plants have edible tops and leaves, used in salads or in stir-fry as a spring vegetable. If finely chopped it can also be used in sauces.

    Undyed, the pollen itself is a red colour and is very noticeable on the heads of bees that frequent its flowers.

    Folk herbalists use purple dead nettle in many herbal remedies. One of these is purple dead nettle salve that can be used on irritated, itchy, or sore skin.

    I would have never thought that these weeds could hold so much value in our yards!