Devarajan Ravichandran
"Plant tree"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 912 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO3,600pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
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UP TO45plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO46plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
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UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO1.0minutespent outdoors
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UP TO3.0minutesspent learning
Devarajan's actions
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.
Land + Forests
Carry My Trash
I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me this month, to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will post on the feed my reflections, conversations, and actions I will take moving forward.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 5 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
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
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
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
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.
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 5 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
Freshwater + Oceans
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
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).
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Dishwasher Efficiency
Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than a dishwasher. To save water, I will use a dishwasher and scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
Freshwater + Oceans
Say No to Plastic Straws
An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Freshwater + Oceans
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
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.
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
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
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.
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
TAKE PICTURES AND SHARE ON LINKEDIN
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.
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.
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?
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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?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:06 AMSome say that a zero-waste lifestyle is challenging because it requires breaking old habits and adopting new ones. Others say that it's not that hard, but it's difficult to stick to the lifestyle. Here are some common challenges people face when transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle:- Changing habits: You might need to change your diet and habits.
- Finding alternatives: You might need to find sustainable alternatives to products you use.
- Mental barriers: You might fear being judged when you use plastic or worry about being imperfectly zero-waste.
- Washing containers: You might need to wash your containers and washcloths regularly, which can be annoying.
- Carrying a big backpack: You might need to carry a big backpack everywhere you go, which can be annoying.
- Grocery shopping: Your grocery cart might end up being much emptier than usual.
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Amey Jain 4/24/2024 5:10 AMtrue.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Explore My AreaWhere did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:06 AMHere are some benefits of walking or hiking in nature:- Physical health
- Walking in nature can improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. A 30-minute visit to a park can improve heart health, circulation, and lower cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Hiking can also help with weight loss.
- Mental health
- Walking in nature can improve focus, concentration, and creativity. It can also help reduce anxiety and depression, and make your thoughts more positive. Hiking can lower levels of cortisol, a hormone used as a stress indicator.
- Social activity
- Nature walks can be a social activity. Hiking can also give you time to appreciate nature with your loved ones.
- Cognitive functioning
- Spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, can improve cognitive functioning and better mental health. Hiking allows for a break from technology, a reconnection with nature, and a chance to relax and clear the mind.
- Sleep
- Walking or resting in nature can help refresh and reinvigorate a tired brain. There's a large body of scientific evidence supporting the positive effects of nature on sleep quality and quantity.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Borrow Before I BuyHow did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:06 AMThe sharing economy is a socio-economic system where people share goods, services, skills, and time with others. It can be facilitated by nonprofit organizations or commercial entities. Some examples of sharing economy services include:- Car-sharing services: Like Zipcar, Lyft, and Uber, which allow people to rent cars by the hour or day
- Vacation rental services: Like Airbnb and VRBO, which allow people to rent out their homes
- Book-lending libraries: Which provide goods and services for free
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Reduce Pollutants in CleaningWhat did you learn about ingredients in our cleaning products and how they impact water and biodiversity? Did you try making your own cleaning products? If so, how did it go?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:05 AMI discovered the beauty of DIY cleaning solutions made from natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Low Water GardeningWhat are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:05 AMSome water concerns in India include:- Over-extraction of groundwater: India relies heavily on groundwater, which is being depleted at an alarming rate due to over-extraction for irrigation, industrial, and domestic use.
- Water pollution: Water pollution comes from many sources including pesticides and fertilizers that wash away from farms, untreated human wastewater, and industrial waste.
- Inadequate distribution
- Lack of proper water management
- Climate change: Changing rainfall patterns, including droughts, can have a big impact on water availability. Flooding can worsen water quality. Stronger storms can damage infrastructure.
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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?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:04 AMA water footprint is the total amount of water an individual uses for daily activities, including drinking, cleaning, and washing. It also includes the water used to produce goods and services, which is called indirect water use. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Join a Cleanup EffortHow does working with others to clean up your community make you feel? What results did you see? Please consider posting a photo of your cleanup!
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:04 AMWorking with others to clean up your community can make you feel a sense of pride, unity, and responsibility. It can also create a greater sense of friendship among community members. -
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?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:03 AMTransportation, energy use, and food choices are some of the activities that have the highest impact on your carbon footprint. Driving cars is a major contributor to carbon emissions.
Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint:- Transportation
- Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk to your destination
- Energy use
- Minimize energy usage at home, turn off lights and unplug devices when you're not using them, and set your thermostat to 78°F in summer and 67°F in winter
- Food choices
- Eat more food that is grown or made locally and less red meat. Consider a plant-based diet
- Other
- Reduce, reuse, recycle, shop locally, adopt a minimalist wardrobe, and buy less stuff
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Online Energy AuditWhere did you do an energy audit (work, home, school, other) and what did you learn?
Devarajan Ravichandran 4/24/2024 5:02 AMYou can conduct an energy audit at home, work, school, or other places:- Home
- You can conduct a DIY energy audit to identify areas of your home that are losing energy. You can look for air leaks, evaluate your ventilation, check your insulation, and evaluate your lighting. You can also use the Building Performance Institute's home quiz to estimate your seasonal energy costs and potential energy-saving measures.
- Work
- An energy audit at work examines the systems your workplace uses, such as lighting, heating, and air-conditioning, and its building envelope, such as the exterior walls, foundation, roof, windows, and doors.
- School
- You can conduct an energy audit at your classroom, school library, administrator's office, or your own home. An energy audit can help estimate and analyze energy consumption and propose energy conservation measures