Heather Reese
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 140 THIS WEEK
- 914 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO37meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
-
UP TO98plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO78pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
-
UP TO26advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO4.0hoursvolunteered
-
UP TO20minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO165minutesspent learning
Heather's actions
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Reduce Animal Products
One kilogram of beef and cheese emits 71kg and 24kg of greenhouse gasses, while 1kg of rice, grains, and legumes emits between 2-4kg. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts emit less than 1kg per 1kg. I will reduce my climate impact by enjoying 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.
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.
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 20 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 20 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
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
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
Regenerative Agriculture and Me
Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 10 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 20 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
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 10 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
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
Reduce Pollutants in Cleaning
Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 20 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 20 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.
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 04 hours in my community.
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.
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?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Volunteer in my CommunityHow does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:30 PMIt's nice to feel a part of the solution and knowing people care in this crazy world we are living in right now. It takes a village to really make things happen. I actually really like to volunteer when I travel. It's a good way to get to know what is happening around you. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Dishwasher EfficiencyHow can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:27 PMI think we forget here in the northwest that we still have water concerns and droughts and things. We don't get the rain and snow that we used to. I try to be aware of the water I use. I'd really like to see easier and more affordable grey water systems for every house to be used for plants. Even if you plant drought tolerant plants there are times they need the water. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal ProductsHow does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:24 PMI think we all know the impact that meat has on the planet and ourselves but I definitely don't begrudge people who aren't ready to make that change. If you force people, I feel like it can backfire, so I generally try to lead by example but I'm definitely not fanatical about it but I do what I can and am always trying new recipes to find substitutes for the things I still like... <ahem> cheese. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community 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!
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:21 PMThese days I feel like seeing trash is not only not pleasant to look at but it oftentimes feels unsafe, especially in the city. Being with like minded people to help beautify something that you care about makes it all seem better and that there is hope and you feel good at the end of the day instead of so stressed about the world. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Explore My AreaWhere did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:17 PMI actually did this while I was on vacation. I saw a green area from my hotel window that I didn't know existed. It took me to a nice part of town that I hadn't explored before. It was a beautiful green area and seeing new things stimulates the mind but also quiets my mind in the end. -
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?
Heather Reese 4/24/2024 12:16 PMAnyone who knows me would have no trouble guessing that my carbon emissions is from travel. I do pretty well in the rest of my life and offset what I can but I'm not quite ready to give all that up but I can reduce my a/c use at least a little bit. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Seek Alternative Gifts and SouvenirsHow do your consumption choices affect the health of wildlife and other communities?
Heather Reese 4/21/2024 9:13 PMIt's all connected... overconsumption and plastic waste just does so much damage from the smallest critters to entire cities around the world. Faster and cheaper has just created a throwaway society and to get that faster and cheaper, no regard is given to the who, what, where and why of that production.-
Shijumon Viswambharan 4/21/2024 9:24 PMAbsolutely True
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Invest in NatureWhat did you learn about how investing can support the environment and create a more sustainable world?
Heather Reese 4/20/2024 9:52 PMBeing able to invest in companies that work to help this world survive a little longer instead of just lining their pockets has always been a goal. It has always been a little difficult to really find this type of information but more and more is available to review and make more informed choices where my money goes.-
balakrishnan C 4/20/2024 9:55 PMInvesting can play a crucial role in supporting the environment and creating a more sustainable world
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Keep My Community CleanHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Heather Reese 4/18/2024 10:05 AMIt's all about respect for your community and other people. Even though it's frustrating that some people don't seem to care, this small act can show others that someone cares and it's always best to leave a place better than you found it if you can. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Low Water GardeningWhat are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
Heather Reese 4/17/2024 5:25 PMHonestly, I think the biggest concern for me is using too much of it. We have an HOA that controls the water and it's been a struggle trying to get them to water enough but not too much. They have done some things to help with that but it's hard when people have different needs.-
Jeanne Poirier 4/17/2024 8:14 PMGood luck with the continued education on how precious our water is now - even if available!
-