Michaela Voigtlaender
"I would like to take on the challenge of achieving more sustainability in terms of the environment but also fair trade production. There is always room for improvement."
POINTS TOTAL
- 35 TODAY
- 265 THIS WEEK
- 846 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO20advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO323gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO101meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO210minutesspent learning
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UP TO1,285minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO6.5poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO14pounds of CO2have been saved
Michaela's actions
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.
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
Smart Seafood Choices
We need to support healthy seafood populations. I will spend 15 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
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.
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.
Land + Forests
Forest-Friendly Foods
I will look for sustainable palm oil products with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSP) label. I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation and opt for ones that help sustain healthy communities and forests.
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
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 15 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
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.
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).
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 QUESTIONClimate + Air Choose Renewable EnergyIf you are already signed up for your utility's renewable option, what other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage? If your company doesn't offer a renewable option, were they open to your request of this in the future?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/19/2024 8:02 AMI have been using renewable electricity for years. That's easy, I've had a photovoltaic system since 2005. Last year, we installed a heat pump. Next year maybe a wallbox for the car.✌😁
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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?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/19/2024 7:54 AMBasically, no food should be thrown away, which is why fast food is more or less a no go for me. It doesn't taste good to me and is usually high in calories, produces a lot of waste. Cooking for yourself is usually no longer a time commitment. Sometimes rice with some vegetables and spices will do, it's super fast, without packaging, I get rice directly in a jar, it's even available at supermarkets in the unpackaged corner. Vegetables from the market directly into the basket. I plan to cook this dish only as much as is eaten. If there is really something left over, you can get it combined the next day. It works - try it .:-)
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests 30 for 30 in NatureWhat have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/14/2024 8:50 AMTo spend consistent time outside is for me incredibly important. I really enjoy spending my free time in nature. It clears up your head and keeps the body fit. Today I did a small hike with my husband and our dog at Andechs😃-
Knut Riegel 4/14/2024 9:48 PMLooks fun -
Claudia Zimmermann 4/14/2024 12:07 PMI hear you, while on vacation I enjoy being in nature, no noise which is getting on your nerves, It is so important for our well-being,
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Stay on the GroundWhat was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/08/2024 8:52 AMWe need to reduce global emissions before 2030. If we are to make the immediate and profound change that is needed, we must all pull together. My starting point is to check if I possibilities to stay on the ground instead book a flight. For example, use the railway for business trips. Make vacation at home. This is not always possible if I’m thinking that our railway staff often go on strike. Going flight-free is one of the most important things we as individuals can do for the climate. It is an effective way to reduce our emissions quickly – and an even greater impact lies in the effect this decision has on people around us. We humans are strongly influenced by each other’s behaviour. The more of us that show we are prepared to do what it takes, the more will follow. Together we can reduce emissions, change the norm and lay the foundations for a strong climate policy.
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Knut Riegel 4/08/2024 8:59 AMThanks for sharing Michaela
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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?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/03/2024 6:40 AMFirst of all I avoid wearing clothes with microplastic.
Installing a washing machine filter might be one of the simplest defences against microplastics entering the ocean.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal ProductsHow does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Michaela Voigtlaender 4/03/2024 6:35 AMIndustrial meat is a major driver of deforestation worldwide. In countries like Brazil, forests are intentionally set ablaze to clear land for cattle ranching and to cultivate animal feed (such as soybeans) for farms in. Not nice 😥 -
Michaela Voigtlaender 3/22/2024 1:38 AMDon'tforget - tomorrow!!! 8:30 pm! 🌎🕣
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Michaela Voigtlaender 3/23/2024 5:21 AMSure, this is highly appreciated 😃Thanks -
Jeanne Poirier 3/22/2024 6:51 PMThanks for the reminder Michaela! Tried to re-post this and hope you don't mind. I didn't do nearly so well!
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Michaela Voigtlaender 3/15/2024 4:10 AMJoin us for Earth Hour 2024!
Switch off and Give an hour for Earth on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 pm your local time. Together, let's create the Biggest Hour for Earth.
for more information:https://earthhour.org-
Emma Scaggs 3/18/2024 11:38 AMThis is so neat! Thank you for sharing.
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Michaela Voigtlaender 2/13/2024 11:57 PMI'm glad to be a member of this challenge again. Let's see how much we move this time and learn to improve the environment/world and become active in it.
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Knut Riegel 3/07/2024 12:48 PMThanks for participating again Mochaels
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