Balakumar Raghunath
"Commit to personal and collective actions that creates a more sustainable world for all"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 90 THIS WEEK
- 1,250 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO78pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO19pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO37single-use bagsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
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UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
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UP TO803minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO3.0treesplanted
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UP TO93minutesspent learning
Balakumar's actions
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.
Action Track: Community
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.
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
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.
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).
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.
Action Track: Community
Reduce Personal carbon foorprint
Objective is to reduce personal carbon footprint by implementing sustainable transportation practices. The reason why I chose this is it has significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions globally. By targeting personal transportation habits, individuals can make measurable reductions in their carbon emissions.
Action Track: Community
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 15 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
Join a Cleanup Effort
I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.
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.
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.
Action Track: Community
JOIN OR CREATE A GREEN TEAM AT EMERSON
I will continue to contribute to Emerson's environmental sustainability goals beyond April by learning more about the Global Green Teams Network, joining a team near me, or maybe even creating a new team.
Action Track: Community
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWS ON SUSTAINABILITY AT EMERSON
I will sign up to the Sustainability Aficionados distribution list to receive global news on sustainability at Emerson, including world news and Greening OF, BY, and WITH news.
Action Track: Community
ATTEND THE ECOCHALLENGE CONSERVATION WEBINAR
On Wed 24th April, I will attend the Earth Month Ecochallenge Webinar on Conservation to learn about what individuals, companies and other organizations can do to promote biodiversity and nature protection.
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
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.
Land + Forests
Personal Waste Audit
The waste we create daily can go unnoticed. I will track the waste I create in a day and post a photo log on the feed to see how much I create and where I can make different choices to reduce my waste going forward.
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Use Reusable Bags
Plastic bags can be mistaken for food by many wild animals and can end up in habitats that harm wildlife. I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community ATTEND THE ECOCHALLENGE CONSERVATION WEBINARWhat did you learn in the webinar? Did anything surprise you?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/24/2024 6:27 PMI learned about eco-friendly practices and conservation efforts at the webinar. It was surprising to see the creative ways people are reusing materials like glass to reduce waste. -
Balakumar Raghunath 4/24/2024 6:16 PMMorning's calling! Let's hit the park for some fresh air and good vibes.
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Criselle Reyes 4/24/2024 7:49 PMBeautiful. -
Pitch Chayanon 4/24/2024 6:48 PMNice picture.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Seek Alternative Gifts and SouvenirsHow do your consumption choices affect the health of wildlife and other communities?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/22/2024 1:06 AMMy consumption choices have far reaching implications for the health of wildlife and communities worldwide. From habitat destruction and pollution to resource depletion and climate change, the impacts of unsustainable consumption are profound. By opting for sustainable products and reducing waste, I can play a vital role in mitigating these effects and fostering healthier ecosystems for future generations. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/22/2024 1:00 AMSingapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) provides advisories on fish consumption, categorizing them into "Green," "Grey," and "Red" categories based on mercury levels. To align with these guidelines, I must choose fish wisely, diversify my seafood intake and practice moderation. -
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?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/22/2024 12:57 AMI've learned that daily activities contribute significantly to water usage, prompting me to adopt strategies to reduce and be more aware of my water consumption -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Consume only Needs vs WantsConsuming only what we need vs. what we want can be really hard to do. What has been challenging about committing to this action for a month? What have you learned about yourself? Will you change any habits going forward?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/22/2024 12:54 AMOne of the main challenges is resisting the urge to indulge in unnecessary purchases that are driven more by desire than actual necessity. I intend to continue practicing mindful consumption, being more intentional with my purchases, and focusing on meeting my genuine needs rather than succumbing to fleeting desires. -
Balakumar Raghunath 4/22/2024 12:21 AM
Happy Earth day everyone!! -
Balakumar Raghunath 4/16/2024 9:24 PM
Nature park near my locality <3-
Xingfang Sun 4/16/2024 10:08 PMbeautiful. -
Amos Rayan 4/16/2024 9:24 PMbeautiful.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Declutter My Home Without the LandfillHow did it feel to intentionally declutter with putting things into the landfill? What did you learn along the way about yourself and our consumer and waste systems?
Balakumar Raghunath 4/16/2024 9:20 PMIt was satisfying to clear space and simplify life. Along the way, I learned about the importance of conscious consumption, the value of reducing, reusing and recycling. I consider this as a journey of self awareness and responsibility towards our environment. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Save the BeesWhat did you plant for bees in your area? Please consider uploading a photo!
Balakumar Raghunath 4/11/2024 8:09 PM
Honolulu creepers are climbing vines with beautiful pink flowers. Their flowers are edible, very sweet and loved by bees.