Thanks for all these eye opening topics.
Jaya Sharma
"Every step counts. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 80 THIS WEEK
- 805 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO5.8poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO84pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO25single-use bagsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO289gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO10advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO3.0hoursvolunteered
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UP TO15minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO163minutesspent learning
Jaya's actions
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 15 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.
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 30 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
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
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.
Action Track: Community
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 30 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.
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
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.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 180 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.
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.
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 10 hours in my community.
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
Weekly Meal Planning
One third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and so is the energy it takes to produce and transport that food. I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need and eating what I planned each day.
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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Jaya Sharma 4/22/2024 8:08 PMMy colleague Sara Bowersox is always an inspiration as she continues to volunteer with other KEENers and also shares the tips often. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Plastic in Clothing and WaterHow did you try to catch the release of microplastics in your laundry? What did you learn in the process?
Jaya Sharma 4/22/2024 8:06 PMI wasn't aware of this topic much, washing sustainably was always focus but I learned new that water temperature, detergent quantity and type of machine and its tumbling makes difference too.
Thanks for all these eye opening topics. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Beauty and Personal ProductsWhat new insights did you gain about the skincare products you use? Did you reach out to advocate for refillable or recyclable packaging?
Jaya Sharma 4/21/2024 8:59 PMOver the weekend, I watched a documentary on how much plastic is created due to these packaging. The olders style soaps for body wash or in lieu of shampoo were more environment friendly. I an planning to do some changes after seeing that documentary. -
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:39 PMSince tomorrow all KEENers are going to volunteer, I am looking forward to doing my share remotely! -
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?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:38 PMBeing aware of the water that could be saved while brushing teeth, washing face, doing shorter showers. Doing our parts making youngsters aware of that. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Explore My AreaWhere did you go for your walk or hike in nature? What were the benefits of doing so?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:33 PMI went just in the trail nearby.
I am fascinated by trees in all seasons and sky. -
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?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:27 PMPlastic showed up in my life, when I moved to North America. Prior to that, I never ever had acquired so much plastic while shopping that could be easily eliminated. But again, this is long time back. All these big shopping store have made life easy, but also created too much plastic in environment. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Weekly Meal PlanningHow did it feel to plan out your meals and stick to them in an effort to reduce food waste?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:19 PMGrew up knowing that food cannot be thrown out. So it feels a proud moment to not waste food and spread awareness among others. -
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?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:17 PMIt is interesting to see how much clutter is being created along the way unintentionally. It is difficult to eliminate it completely. :(-
Shelley Pinckney 4/18/2024 8:09 PMI think we are a very wasteful society. We don't want to see just how wasteful we really are. When you live near a landfill, you can see the waste piling up and the truck loads of waste that are brought in from other states. We are fortunate that the wind doesn't bring the smell our way very often, but when it does, it is extremely unpleasant. The one good thing is that the landfill does use the waste to make energy for the surrounding communities.
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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?
Jaya Sharma 4/18/2024 7:11 PMThe most challenging thing about this is the fear of being judged. Though, after a point one can be happy with being content and not worry about going for every want. I really look forward to being a better me with the ecochallenge.