Jessica Fernandes

"To ensure that future generations can survive and thrive in our world, we must make decisions that drive sustainability today."

POINTS TOTAL

40 TODAY
125 THIS WEEK
737 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

600

gallons of water

have been saved

Jessica's actions

Land, Water, and Air

Save Water When Washing Dishes

Dishwashers can save water — if used wisely. I will only run the dishwasher when it’s full and skip the pre-rinse to reduce water and energy use. If I don't have a dishwasher, I will turn off the tap as often as possible while washing dishes.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Become a Sustainability Aficionado or Invite a Colleague!

Become a Sustainability Aficionado or invite one of your colleagues to join if you're already tuned into the program.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Join your local Green Team or participate in an Earth Month activity organized by them

Get involved! Join your local Green Team to connect and work on local sustainability initiatives. Or, participate in one of the many Earth Month activities they've organized.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Begin a meeting with a “Sustainability Moment”

Kick off your meetings with a "Sustainability Moment" to keep environmental awareness top of mind. Even better, develop new "Sustainability Moments" tailored to your specific location and work, making the connection between sustainability and your daily activities even stronger!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Learn about our new Sustainability Pathways initiative

Learn about our new Sustainability Pathways initiative and implement 1 action under each of the pillars from the most appropriate persona.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Take the Green Pill Trainings on Emerson Learn

Learn about sustainability by taking two Green Pill modules on Emerson Learn. Choose the topics that appeal to you most!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Reduce Food Waste

Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Produce No Waste for a 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.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper Products

Trees provide food and habitat for local wildlife species, shade our streets and homes, and help keep our air and water clean by capturing pollutants. I will learn about certification labels and buy wood and paper products certified as sustainable or recycled to protect forests and reduce environmental harm.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Jessica Fernandes 4/29/2025 9:38 PM
Earth Loves You, Love it Back!

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- Racquel Arcilla 4/29/2025 10:15 PM
  - Plant Parent 🪴
  loving mother earth
  
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Jessica Fernandes 4/29/2025 12:15 AM
The smallest changes can impact the world and the environment!

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- Yosr Hussein 4/30/2025 4:29 AM
  - Book Lover 📚
  True!
  
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- MARICEL QUIPANES 4/29/2025 12:16 AM
  very true!
  
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Jessica Fernandes 4/28/2025 3:24 AM
Sustainability is an essential part of facing current and future global challenges, not only those related to the environment.

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Jessica Fernandes 4/23/2025 9:47 PM
It takes far more crops to feed livestock than it would to feed people directly. Shifting away from meat can free up food and resources to help fight world hunger.

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- Priyanga Kutty 4/23/2025 9:49 PM
  - Community Builder 🤝
  - 13-DAY STREAK
  True
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What benefits do forests offer you personally? What certifications or labels will you look for when purchasing wood and paper products, and why?
Jessica Fernandes 4/14/2025 9:54 PM
Forests offer numerous personal benefits, from improving physical and mental health to connecting with nature. When purchasing wood and paper products, look for certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which guarantee responsible forest management and help ensure products are sourced sustainably.

Personal Benefits of Forests:

Mental Health:

Spending time in forests can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood.
Physical Health:

Forests can boost the immune system, improve focus, and provide opportunities for exercise.

Connection with Nature:

Experiencing nature can foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment.

Air Quality:

Forests help filter air pollution, contributing to cleaner air for all.

Water Resources:

Forests play a role in regulating water cycles and preventing soil erosion.

Certifications to Look For:

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council):

FSC certification assures products are made from responsibly managed forests that prioritize environmental, social, and economic aspects of forest management, according to the Forest Stewardship Council.

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification):

PEFC certification guarantees that products come from sustainably managed forests and does not contribute to deforestation.

Why Certifications Matter:

Sustainable Management:

Certifications ensure that forests are managed in a way that preserves their health and biodiversity for future generations.

Responsible Sourcing:

They track wood and paper products from the forest to the final product, ensuring they are not sourced from illegal or unsustainable operations.

Environmental Protection:

Certifications support the protection of forests, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them.

Fair Labor Practices:

Certifications also address social issues, such as fair wages and working conditions for forestry workers
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- Lito Ramos 4/15/2025 8:14 AM
  
  Exercise Lover 🤸
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  great to see your enthusiasm! 🌍💚
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
Jessica Fernandes 4/14/2025 9:53 PM
Change is Hard, and Buying Stuff is Easy
Change can be hard. Starting and then ingraining new habits, consciously trying to remember new ways of doing things before it seeps into our subconscious, researching new ideas and learning new skills – it can be exhausting.

We want to make progress, and fast. We want to see the evidence of this progress.
And that is where the buying comes in.

It’s almost like a beginner zero waste right-of-passage; the buying of stuff. We’ve all done it. (Well, most of us. Including me.) We want to look like we’ve made progress, and so we buy the things to prove it.
The water bottle, the reusable coffee cup, the reusable produce bags.
It makes us feel good before the real stuff happens. The refusing of the single-use items, the remembering of said reusables, and the reshaping of habits.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did changing your dishwashing habits make you more mindful of water use? What other small changes can you make to conserve water in your household?
Jessica Fernandes 4/14/2025 9:48 PM
Changing dishwashing habits, especially to handwashing, can make you more mindful of water use. By consciously managing water usage, you're more aware of the amount needed for each dish and can optimize your approach, such as pre-soaking and using a basin. Other small changes like turning off the tap while brushing teeth and taking shorter showers can also significantly reduce water consumption.

How changing dishwashing habits makes you more mindful of water use:

Conscious Water Management:

Handwashing dishes allows you to be more aware of how much water is actually needed to clean each dish, encouraging you to manage your water usage more efficiently.

Optimizing Techniques:

You might start experimenting with pre-soaking, using a basin to minimize water waste, or washing dishes in batches to optimize water usage.

Awareness of Efficiency:

Comparing the water used for handwashing to a dishwasher, you may become more aware of the efficiency differences between the two methods and make more informed choices about which method to use.

Other small changes to conserve water in your household:

Turn off the tap: When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your hands, turn off the tap to prevent water from running unnecessarily.

Take shorter showers: Reducing shower time can significantly save water.

Fix leaks: Check taps, pipes, and toilets for leaks, as even small leaks can waste a lot of water.

Use low-flow aerators: These devices can reduce water consumption while maintaining the same water pressure.

Collect rainwater: Using a water butt to collect rainwater can be used for gardening or other non-potable uses.

Fill kettle less: Only fill the kettle with the amount of water needed for the task.

Full loads for appliances: Use full loads for washing machines and dishwashers to maximize water efficiency.
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money? What patterns did you notice in the food you threw away, and how can you address them?
Jessica Fernandes 4/14/2025 9:47 PM
Instead of spending $1,500 on food that's wasted, consider redirecting that money toward experiences that enrich your life or invest in areas that benefit your family. To address food waste patterns, plan meals, portion food accurately, and utilize freezer storage for leftovers.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Where to use the money:

Experiences:

Invest in family trips, concerts, sporting events, or other activities that create lasting memories.

Education:

Contribute to your children's education, whether through school programs, extracurricular activities, or online learning platforms.

Personal Development:

Enroll in courses, workshops, or coaching programs to enhance skills or pursue personal interests.

Financial Security:

Save the money for a down payment on a home, invest in a retirement account, or pay off high-interest debt.

Charitable Giving:

Donate to causes you believe in, supporting organizations that make a positive impact in your community or globally.

Addressing food waste patterns:

Plan meals: Before you go shopping, create a meal plan for the week to ensure you buy only what you need.

Portion food accurately: Serve appropriate portion sizes to avoid overeating and wasting leftovers.

Utilize freezer storage: Freeze leftovers or surplus ingredients to extend their shelf life and avoid spoilage.

Check expiration dates: Be mindful of expiration dates and use up food items before they expire.

Store food properly: Learn proper storage techniques for different types of food to prolong their freshness.

Consider buying in bulk: If you can store it properly, buying in bulk can be more economical and reduce waste.

Donate food to food banks or shelters: If you have excess food that you cannot use, donate it to a local food bank or shelter to help those in need.

Compost food scraps: Composting food scraps can reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?
Jessica Fernandes 4/14/2025 9:42 PM
The Volume of Water Used in Showers
The average shower uses a considerable amount of water. A standard showerhead releases approximately 2.5 gallons of water per minute, and many older or less efficient showerheads release even more. A 10-minute shower can therefore use 25 gallons of water, while a longer 20-minute shower can consume a staggering 50 gallons. Consider this multiplied by every person taking a daily shower, and the cumulative amount of water used is enormous. By cutting shower times in half, or even just by a few minutes, individuals can make a remarkable impact on overall water consumption.

Reducing Strain on Water Systems
Reduced water consumption from shorter showers also eases the burden on municipal water treatment and distribution systems. These systems require substantial energy and resources to purify and deliver water to homes. By lowering our demand for water, we help to minimize the strain on these systems, reducing the need for infrastructure expansion and ultimately contributing to resource efficiency. This also helps to reduce the risk of over-extracting water from natural sources like rivers and aquifers, which can have devastating effects on ecosystems.

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- Amit Mishra 4/14/2025 9:42 PM
  
  Community Builder 🤝
  
  17-DAY STREAK
  Thanks
  
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Jessica Fernandes 4/13/2025 9:40 PM
lastic takes hundreds of years to biodegrade and single-use plastic bags have been found in the world’s deepest ocean trench.
It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.
Together, we can all make small changes to reverse the damage that plastic consumption has caused our planet.
This challenge is all about understanding your own plastic consumption, how you might be able to reduce it and discovering new creative ways to reuse plastics to add value to the environment.

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