Buffy Dinh
"Invest in Our Planet by making an impact on Recycle, Reuse and Rebuild. Use less water, think twice on plastic and explore the outdoors. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,179 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO24poundsfood waste prevented
-
UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
-
UP TO122pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO245single-use bagsnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO243pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
-
UP TO1,182gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
-
UP TO309public officials or leaderscontacted
-
UP TO6.0hoursvolunteered
-
UP TO10advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO392minutesspent learning
Buffy's actions
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).
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.
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
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 20 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 60 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
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
TRY A NEW VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN RECIPE
I will try a new vegetarian or vegan recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Share My "Why"
I will record a video to share why I am taking action this Earth Month, a sustainable swap I've made, and/or a local conservation effort in my area.
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.
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 6 hours in my community.
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
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
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
Reduce Pollutants in Cleaning
Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 15 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
Action Track: Community
Pick Up the Phone
I will gather a group of friends, family, neighbors or colleagues to make 5 phone calls to public officials or companies to advocate for planet-friendly policies.
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.
Action Track: Community
Write Letters or Emails
I will gather a group of friends, family, neighbors or colleagues and write 10 letters or emails to public officials or companies to advocate for planet-friendly policies.
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.
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.
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?
-
Buffy Dinh 4/25/2024 7:35 PMI have recently found some information on The Nature Conservancy websites to learn what they do and how we can be part of that change. This organization let our young learned about science and how certain things affect the Earth.-
Buffy Dinh 4/26/2024 11:25 PMI support WWF completely. Back in 2009, I adopted a Giant Panda because my love for those animals. In 2018, I adopted a Sumatran Rhino after I reading up on one of the documentary on National Geographics and seen videos of those lovely animal. I couldn't resist to help out. -
Gayle Senn 4/26/2024 5:43 AMThank you for sharing, Buffy. Thank you, Denise, for the additional research suggestion as well. Very helpful! -
Denise Krol 4/26/2024 5:02 AMContinue to read up on The Nature Conservancy. There has been some news to the effect of - that organization doesn't always use the money in the ways you think they are.
I put more trust into World Wildlife Fund.
Do your own research - but it is concerning.
-
-
Buffy Dinh 4/24/2024 7:35 PMReducing waste through biodegradation, repurposing products and rethinking our economic infrastructures. Transportation method during high pollution in Arizona is broadcast days before notice of the events. Water distribution network is worrisome in Arizona due to drought, so conserving usage. -
Buffy Dinh 4/20/2024 11:12 PMAnother way to cutting back on electricity usage is turning up the AC. Maintain a comfortable temperature in the house. Ours is set at 74 degrees when we are home. When we are away it is set at 78 degrees. -
Buffy Dinh 4/20/2024 11:03 PMPlant a tree in the neighborhood park with the local fire department. -
Buffy Dinh 4/18/2024 12:17 AMSo far it's been good. Reuse lots of our boxes for our toddler to stack up like blocks, cut-out train rails and floor liners. Recycle glass and cans. Meal prep and kits to reduce waste. Choosing meals that includes vegetables that are in seasoned. Vegetarian options are delicious. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Zero Waste DayWhat was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
Buffy Dinh 4/18/2024 12:13 AMThere has been days out of the week where my household don't have trash in our bins. Fruits and vegetables are recycled into our compost including coffee grounds and eggshells. Educate self about alternatives and recovering household items. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Buffy Dinh 4/17/2024 8:36 PMSeafood is only once in a while for our diet. We choose sustainable food choices and local farms. There was a documentary about the ocean and how humans' behavior is causing the food chain to crash. -
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?
Buffy Dinh 4/17/2024 8:33 PMChoose to have no grass in our yard, reuse rainwater filtration system and don't let the water run. Minimized the shower time to 10 minutes, car wash as needed, use dishwasher and filter tap water with Zero system.-
Buffy Dinh 4/23/2024 10:11 PMLiving in Arizona. Dry season is almost all year long. In the valley, we get rain here and there, which is in the Monsoon season. Haboos comes once in a while. Gotta love Arizona 100+ degrees heat. -
Denise Krol 4/22/2024 5:27 AMNo grass may be a bit unobtainable but I go for less than perfect grass. It doesn't have to be perfectly manicured. Each year we over turn a small portion of grass to wildflowers which has been doable. Every year we get excited about another part of the yard turning into something the pollinators love!
-
-
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!
Buffy Dinh 4/17/2024 8:29 PMIt feels great to join local community organizations and fire departments to be part of a clean-up crew. Planting trees in the neighborhood parks, picking up litters after a storm and teaching the younger generation on why we should be part of the community. -
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?
Buffy Dinh 4/17/2024 8:27 PMReading up on conservationist and surviving what our land give us. April is Earth awareness month and Factor meal plans has great recipes to provide tips on how to sustained a healthy lifestyle,