Keyla Ahrens

For an upcoming vacation, I will spend 30 minutes planning out a staycation in my region. For reference, one several hour flight releases the equivalent of nearly 14% of the annual emissions from a car.

I will become a savvy produce shopper when buying organic and non-organic items.

I will try a new vegan or vegetarian recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.

I will volunteer 10 hours in my community.

I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.

I will organize a book club to read about climate change and sustainability.

I will have a conversation with one or more nonprofit organizations I want to be involved with.

I spend 25 minutes analyzing my recent utility bills, which might include electricity, gas, or water to see what my current usage is and determine if I can reduce my energy and water use.

I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers. Tip: Use a timer to practice or count to 60 a few times.

I will replace 60 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.

I will spend 15 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me each day to raise my awareness of how much waste I produce.

During the workday, I will schedule time for daily breaks during work days to practice work-life balance.

Within my community at home or work, I will organize or attend a local cleanup event.

I will make a few homemade cleaning products.

I will watch 4 documentaries about climate change.

On average, a tree absorbs 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of carbon dioxide yearly during the first 20 years. To do my part, I will plant 2 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.