Lisa Dowland
""The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 106 THIS WEEK
- 1,511 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO11poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO38milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO38milestraveled by foot
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UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
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UP TO1,244pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO552gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO0.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO2,485minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO1.0treeplanted
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UP TO366minutesspent learning
Lisa's actions
Land + Forests
Zero Waste 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.
Land + Forests
Plant Trees
Trees capture carbon and produce oxygen that is essential to life on earth. I will support this important piece of nature by organizing or joining a community group to plant 1 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Recycle Food Containers for Greenhouses
I will continue to use leftover food containers as greenhouses to grow plants and vegetables for my garden.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 10 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
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.
Action Track: Community
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 30 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.
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.
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).
Freshwater + Oceans
Reduce Pollutants in Cleaning
Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 3 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
Freshwater + Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 5 minutes learning about sustainable seafood choices, commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean, and share what I learned on the feed.
Freshwater + Oceans
Low Water Gardening
Grass lawns are water-intensive and on average require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. Native plants are water-efficient and help maintain the balance and diversity of local ecosystems. I will plant native species with water-efficient plants to conserve water and improve the habitat, then post a photo on the feed to share.
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs
When traveling, I will seek souvenirs that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 60 minutes learning about the beauty and body products I use to see if they are refillable or recyclable. If not, I will reach out to the manufacturer to advocate for those options.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Save the Bees
Bees are vital to ecosystems. To help save the bees, I will learn which local flowers provide nectar and plant them in my backyard or in a pot on my balcony.
Land + Forests
30 for 30 in Nature
Studies have shown that when we spend consistent time in nature, our health improves, our creativity increases, and our connection to the planet gets stronger. Each day of the Ecochallenge, I will spend 30 minutes outside (in a large or small patch of nature), then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 15 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).
Land + Forests
Regenerative Agriculture and Me
Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 15 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
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.
Climate + Air
Use Muscle Power
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
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.
Climate + Air
Weekly Meal Planning
One third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and so is the energy it takes to produce and transport that food. I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need and eating what I planned each day.
Climate + Air
Declutter My Home Without the Landfill
Each day, I will learn about responsible ways to dispose of items and de-clutter, clean, donate, repurpose or recycle unneeded items in my home to make sure that what I get rid of doesn't go into the landfill.
Action Track: Community
Borrow Before I Buy
Why buy something I will only use once or a few times if someone nearby has it for me to borrow, and why not share something I have that someone may only need a few times a year? To reduce my consumption and waste, I will create or support the sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.
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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Lisa Dowland 4/30/2024 6:36 AMClover isn't just for your yard... toss it in a pot with some mint and watch the bees!
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Lisa Dowland 4/30/2024 6:30 AMI can't think of a better way to start the day, than an early morning walk with my husband to the doughnut shop around the corner. We felt "healthier" by walking v. driving, and I swear the pastry tasted sweeter. :-D-
Anna Butler 4/30/2024 8:47 AMsuch sweet quality time!
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Lisa Dowland 4/29/2024 11:03 AMEcochallenge 2024 has been a fun and educational exercise in what's happening in our world. I've learned many things and created new habits.-
Anna Butler 4/30/2024 8:47 AMlast day, best day!
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Lisa Dowland 4/29/2024 11:01 AMMeal prep and planting your own herbs go hand-in-hand. This was a tasty lunch I made with a few remaining campari tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil from my garden.
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Lisa Dowland 4/29/2024 10:42 AMGrateful for the rain we've gotten the last few days - keeping my rain barrels topped off means less use of the garden hose when the hotter months hit. -
Lisa Dowland 4/28/2024 10:33 AMOne more day before back to work - I intend to use this time (and sunshine) to finish my garden.-
ARUNSUNDAR S 4/28/2024 10:34 AMgood
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Zero Waste DayWhat was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
Lisa Dowland 4/28/2024 10:30 AMI learned that although I've changed many habits over the last year, I still generate more waste than I thought. This motivates me to research and implement more good habits into my daily routine.-
Samarth Shenoy 4/28/2024 10:32 AMHaving a Zero Waste Day can be challenging due to the need to consciously avoid generating waste in various aspects of daily life. Here are some common challenges and potential insights:- Planning and Preparation: It may require more time and effort to plan meals, purchase groceries in bulk or without packaging, and carry reusable items such as bags, containers, and utensils. This can be especially challenging when on the go or in situations where single-use items are prevalent.
- Social Situations: Participating in social events or activities outside the home may present challenges in adhering to zero waste principles, particularly if the environment or others' habits do not align with waste reduction goals. It may require assertiveness and creativity to navigate these situations while minimizing waste.
- Product Packaging: Many everyday products come packaged in single-use plastics or other non-recyclable materials, making it difficult to avoid generating waste entirely. Finding alternatives or sourcing products with minimal packaging can require research and effort.
- Mindfulness and Discipline: Maintaining awareness of waste-generating habits and consistently making choices aligned with zero waste principles can be mentally taxing and require discipline, especially when faced with convenience or temptation.
Through the experience of having a Zero Waste Day, individuals may learn valuable lessons about themselves and their habits:
- Increased Awareness: Going through the day with a zero waste mindset can heighten awareness of one's consumption patterns, habits, and the environmental impact of everyday choices.
- Resourcefulness: Finding creative solutions to minimize waste in various situations fosters resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.
- Resilience: Overcoming challenges and setbacks encountered during a Zero Waste Day can build resilience and determination to continue striving for waste reduction goals.
- Personal Values: Reflecting on the experience may lead to a deeper understanding of personal values related to sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Overall, having a Zero Waste Day can be a transformative experience, providing insights into individual behaviors, habits, and values, while also highlighting the broader systemic issues related to waste generation and environmental sustainability.
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Lisa Dowland 4/27/2024 8:21 PMThe weather was absolutely gorgeous today! I spent most of my time outside, planting new veggies and getting the yard ready for Mother's Day.-
Anna Butler 4/28/2024 8:23 AMSuch a nice day for it!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and OceansWhat did you learn about freshwater and oceans you did not already know? In sharing this information with people in your life, which conversation was impactful to you?
Lisa Dowland 4/27/2024 8:19 PMI've recently learned about "30 x 30", a worldwide initiative for governments to designate 30% of the Earth's land and ocean area as protected areas by 2030. (link below)
According to The Nature Conservancy's website, this is the first time the world has come together with a common goal to protect nature; to date, more than 190 countries have committed to achieving the global goal.
The framework for "30x30" includes 23 targets aimed at reversing habitat and species loss. This is the biggest conservation commitment the world has ever seen. I can't think of anything more motivating than this.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/protect-water-and-land/land-and-water-stories/committing-to-30x30/
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Stay on the GroundWhat was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
Lisa Dowland 4/27/2024 7:57 PMMy original plans involved flying, but after reaching out to a few friends, I was able to drive instead. Now I can visit with people I haven't seen in a very long time. Plus, have you seen airfare prices lately?!