Andrei Rus
"Sustainability is about all of us taking action!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 602 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO125meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO119plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO29advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
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UP TO2,290minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO55treesplanted
Andrei's actions
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.
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.
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 3 meatless meals and/or 3 vegan meals each day this week.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 240 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
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.
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 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
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.
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
Join a Cleanup Effort
I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.
Action Track: Community
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 5 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 QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Go Plastic-FreeWhere did plastic show up on your life that surprised you the most? What plastic alternative products did you discover you may switch to?
Andrei Rus 4/28/2024 10:42 PMPlastic keeps appearing alongside the river next to my wood cabin close to Cluj. Seems people just dont care - I care and I pick up plastics polluting the area-
Nicoleta Lupoaie 4/29/2024 12:05 AMReusable cotton pads made from organic cotton or bamboo fibers are a sustainable alternative to disposable cotton pads. These washable pads can be used for makeup removal, applying toner, or cleansing the skin, reducing the need for single-use cotton pads packaged in plastic.
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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?
Andrei Rus 4/28/2024 10:40 PMThis year marks the second year when I skipped meat in April :) Once you do it, you realize how much energy your body has without the proteins from meat (compensated with suplliments)-
Nicoleta Lupoaie 4/29/2024 12:07 AMOne challenge has been distinguishing between genuine needs and discretionary wants. It's easy to justify certain purchases or indulgences as necessary when, in reality, they are driven by impulse or convenience. Practicing self-reflection and questioning the motives behind my consumption choices has helped me better discern between what I truly need and what I merely want.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal ProductsHow does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Andrei Rus 4/28/2024 10:38 PMThis is the second year I don't eat meat in April :) Hard but doable. And during the year when I eat meat - I always pick local instead of imports avoiding transport generated pllution-
Nicoleta Lupoaie 4/29/2024 12:10 AMEating more meat can have significant environmental, social, and ethical consequences, impacting both the planet and other people in various ways:-
Environmental Impact:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Livestock agriculture, particularly beef and dairy production, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These emissions contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems.
- Land Use and Deforestation: The expansion of livestock grazing land and feed crops, such as soy and corn, leads to deforestation and habitat destruction, particularly in tropical regions like the Amazon rainforest. Clearing land for agriculture contributes to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and loss of ecosystem services.
- Water Usage: Livestock agriculture requires large quantities of water for irrigation, drinking, and processing feed crops. Water-intensive livestock production contributes to water scarcity, depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of waterways from runoff and waste.
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Resource Depletion:
- Feed and Grain Production: Producing feed crops for livestock requires vast amounts of land, water, and resources. Grain crops that could be used to feed humans are diverted to feed animals, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and exacerbating food insecurity and hunger in regions where food scarcity is already an issue.
- Water Pollution: Livestock waste, antibiotics, and fertilizers used in feed crop production contribute to water pollution, contaminating rivers, lakes, and groundwater with nutrients, pathogens, and chemical residues. Water pollution from agricultural runoff poses risks to human health, aquatic ecosystems, and drinking water supplies.
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Social and Ethical Implications:
- Food Inequity: The production of meat for affluent consumers in developed countries often comes at the expense of food security and nutrition for vulnerable populations in developing countries. Grain and land used for feed crops could instead be used to grow food for human consumption, addressing hunger and malnutrition on a global scale.
- Labor Rights and Animal Welfare: Industrial livestock production is associated with labor exploitation, poor working conditions, and violations of animal welfare standards. Workers in meat processing plants and factory farms often face hazardous conditions, low wages, and limited access to labor rights, while animals endure confinement, overcrowding, and inhumane treatment.
Overall, eating more meat contributes to a range of environmental, social, and ethical challenges, including climate change, resource depletion, water scarcity, food insecurity, labor exploitation, and animal cruelty. Transitioning to more plant-based diets and adopting sustainable and humane farming practices can help mitigate these impacts and promote a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable food system for both people and the planet. -
Environmental Impact:
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Use a Reusable Water BottleWhat did you learn about the amount of plastic we consume and what actions will you take to reduce your use of plastic?
Andrei Rus 4/25/2024 12:15 AMAt least 14 million tons of plastic land in oceans every year (coording to EarthDay), and because plastics take around 450 years to decompose - do your part as well to save plastic pollution. I use my own water bottles wherever I go and is not that complicated.-
Nicoleta Lupoaie 4/25/2024 1:21 AMI'll use my own water bottles and encourage others to do the same to reduce plastic pollution.
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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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Plant TreesHow is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
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Nicoleta Lupoaie 4/23/2024 6:09 AMtrees help us become more aware of our connections with something larger than ourselves
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community 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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests 30 for 30 in NatureWhat have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?
Andrei Rus 4/01/2024 12:54 AMI started Ecochallenge with a 15K run this morning! :D Feels really good to stretch limits :)-
Andrei Rus 4/01/2024 4:44 AMYes I am :D -
Iulia Stoenica 4/01/2024 1:48 AMWow! 15k!!! Are you preparing for Wizz competition from April 14? -
Andrei Rus 4/01/2024 1:03 AMGreat stuff Prateek! make sure you dont stop :D After several Half Marathons you are ready for a full Marathon! -
PRATEEK SINGHVI 4/01/2024 1:00 AMTo make bigger kick start the vent I did my first Half Self paced Marathon (21k).
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Andrei Rus 4/01/2024 12:50 AMStarted Ecochallenge with a 15K run this morning :D Let's Go! -
Andrei Rus 3/27/2024 2:59 AMJoined Ecochallange to make a bigger impact in April!