Nicoleta Lupoaie

Commit to reducing your consumption of single-use plastics by opting for reusable alternatives. Bring a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag with you wherever you go. Avoid using plastic straws and utensils by carrying your own reusable options or opting for biodegradable alternatives. When purchasing groceries, choose products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recyclable materials. By consciously reducing your reliance on single-use plastics in your daily life, you can make a significant impact on reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment, even when acting alone.

When cleaning outdoor areas such as driveways, sidewalks, or patios, opt for a broom instead of a hose. Sweeping with a broom requires no water and effectively removes debris and dirt. Using a broom instead of a hose not only conserves water but also reduces water runoff and prevents pollutants from entering storm drains. This simple switch in your cleaning routine helps save water, protects freshwater resources, and promotes eco-friendly practices.

Place a rain barrel or container under a downspout to collect rainwater from your roof. Use this collected rainwater to water your indoor and outdoor plants instead of using tap water. Rainwater is free, natural, and devoid of the chemicals found in treated tap water, making it ideal for plant hydration. By harvesting rainwater for irrigation, you reduce reliance on municipal water sources and conserve freshwater resources. This simple practice not only saves water but also promotes sustainable gardening practices and reduces your ecological footprint.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. Reducing carbon footprint involves making conscious choices to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.

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.

Focus on reducing your water consumption and conserving water resources at home or in your community. This could include fixing leaks, installing water-saving devices, using water-efficient appliances, and practicing mindful water use in daily activities such as showering, dishwashing, and gardening.

When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 160 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

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.

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.

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.

When traveling, I will seek souvenirs that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.

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.

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.

Itr's estimated over a billion water bottles are thrown away each year. Even if they were recycled, that still uses energy and resources from the earth. I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 15 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.

Pouring cooking oil down the drain can cause damage to waterways and ecosystems. I will learn how to properly dispose of cooking oil to help support healthy ecosystems.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I will take at least one photograph that is connected with this year's theme of Nature Conservation & Biodiversity (for example an urban park, bee hives, birds and other animals...) and I will post it on LinkedIn with the hashtags #EarthMonthEcochallenge #EarthMonthAtEmerson.

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.

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.

I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.

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 5 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.