Julia Drews
"When enough people come together, then change will come and we can achive almost anything. So instead of looking for hope - start creating it. Greta Thunberg"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 90 THIS WEEK
- 1,451 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO11poundsfood waste prevented
-
UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
-
UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
-
UP TO24pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO49pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO544gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
-
UP TO28advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
-
UP TO60minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO405minutesspent learning
Julia's actions
Climate + Air
Sustainability Lunch and Learn
Learning in a social setting can inspire connection and change. I will work with a friend or colleague to plan and host a lunch and learn at work, school, in my neighborhood or other location to learn more about an environmental topic important to me. After the lunch and learn, I will share more about it on the feed.
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
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 30 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
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 30 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
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 30 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.
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
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.
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
Choose Renewable Energy
Renewable energy options are becoming more widespread and accessible. Not only are they good for the planet, they can help save money as well. I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will contact them to advocate for this option in the future.
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
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.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 60 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
Forest-Friendly Foods
I will look for sustainable palm oil products with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSP) label. I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation and opt for ones that help sustain healthy communities and forests.
Land + Forests
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper
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. Buying products that help protect forests makes a difference. I will only purchase wood, furniture, and paper products from ecologically certified sources such as Forest Stewardship Council.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 30 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.
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 30 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
Freshwater + Oceans
Go Plastic-Free
Millions of tons of plastic is produced each year worldwide. Each day, I will conduct a plastics audit of what I buy and use throughout the challenge (kitchen, bathroom, personal care products, etc.), to see how single-use plastic shows up in my life. I will find plastic-free alternatives to these products and advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, product manufacturers, at work, or on campus.
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 60 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.
Action Track: Community
Keep My Community Clean
At times it may not feel like it's up to us to keep our community clean and healthy, but we all have a role to play. Each day I am outside, I will pick up any litter I see.
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.
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).
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?
-
Julia Drews 4/30/2024 3:50 AMThis is the last day of the Ecochallenge, I have learned a lot and have fun while helping the planet and nature.-
LITTY PHILIP 4/30/2024 3:58 AMLet's keep that trend going!
-
-
Julia Drews 4/28/2024 11:50 PMLast two days of this years Ecochallenge-
Fabrizio Riva 4/29/2024 12:37 AMSince it has been fun, I decided to give some money, I think it's the right thing to do
-
-
Julia Drews 4/28/2024 1:18 AMEarth Laughs In Flowers … 🌺
Ralph Waldo Emerson -
Julia Drews 4/27/2024 12:22 AMThe weather forecast of today is very good, I decided to make a long hike 🌳-
Shiella Mae Rose Escuadra 4/27/2024 12:26 AMnice! -
sangeeta chouksey 4/27/2024 12:23 AMNice.....
-
-
Julia Drews 4/26/2024 12:12 AMI have learned a lot during the Ecochallenge 2024 and feeling good with all of my Actions :)-
Pallavi Sachan 4/26/2024 12:13 AMthis is just the beginning dear...
All the learnings here, 2025 EcoChallenge will take you to new heights!
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Online Energy AuditWhere did you do an energy audit (work, home, school, other) and what did you learn?
Julia Drews 4/23/2024 1:29 AMI do it online at home and have installed some energy-saving switches right after this-
balakrishnan C 4/23/2024 1:53 AMEnergy audits are assessments conducted to evaluate energy usage, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements. Here’s what you might learn from an energy audit:-
Energy Consumption Patterns:
- An audit helps you understand how energy is used in your space (whether it’s a home, workplace, or school).
- You’ll learn which appliances, systems, or processes consume the most energy.
-
Inefficiencies and Wastage:
- Audits reveal areas where energy is wasted due to outdated equipment, leaks, or inefficient practices.
- Common findings include poorly insulated buildings, inefficient lighting, and outdated HVAC systems.
-
Energy Consumption Patterns:
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Sustainability Lunch and LearnWho did you engage in your lunch and learn? What resources did you use? How did it go and what did you learn?
Julia Drews 4/23/2024 1:28 AMI talked to a friend which is vegan for some years now and talk about this sustainablility topic with food. It was very interesting to see her view. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Calculate My Carbon ImpactWhere in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Julia Drews 4/23/2024 1:26 AMTravelling (use the airplane), eat meat and drive by car are generate the most carbon. I already reduce the amount of meat I eat in a week and use an E-Car for the way to work. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Understand My Water FootprintWhat did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?
Julia Drews 4/21/2024 10:45 PMWater is an important ressource and I will shower less long to reduce the water footprint-
Akhil Vardhan 4/21/2024 10:57 PMYes, that's Great!!
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Explore My AreaWhere did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?
Julia Drews 4/21/2024 10:43 PMThe last weekend we hike in a forest. We enjoyed the warming sun and it helps mentally to calm down and enjoy the little things. See the blooming flowers and hear the birds.-
Akhil Vardhan 4/21/2024 10:59 PMThat's Good!!
-