John Gaffney
4/30/2025 12:52 PM
Driving a car emits carbon. We need a national policy of public transportation like they have in Europe. I would take lite-rail or subways if it was available.
John Gaffney
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 881 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0carbon footprintcalculated
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO175minutesspent learning
John's actions
Land, Water, and Air
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, Water, and Air
Calculate My Carbon Impact
Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.
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.
Wildlife
Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 20 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.
Empowering the Next Generation
Learn About Indigenous Conservation Practices
Indigenous communities have stewarded ecosystems for generations through deep-rooted knowledge and connection to nature. I will spend 20 minutes exploring Indigenous conservation methods and reflecting on their role in fostering balance and equity with nature.
Land, Water, and Air
Plastic Free Lunches
Avoid Single Use Plastics when you prepare your lunch. Post a picture of your SUP free lunch on your Feed to the team.
Community and Connection
Connect with nature
The goal is to share how we connect with nature and our environment by posting pictures of our favorite spot. This will allow team member to learn about NC's parks and Natural resources
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 QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirWhere in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
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John Gaffney 4/28/2025 11:13 AMAn urban heat island occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. The difference in temperature between urban and less-developed rural areas has to do with how well the surfaces in each environment absorb and hold heat.
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Vishal Rane 4/28/2025 11:17 AM- Climate Advocate 🌱
- 17-DAY STREAK
Nicely explained.. I have seen this in many metro cities.. even Deserts are cooler than cities..
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John Gaffney 4/26/2025 5:22 AMIn 1984 McD's converted the paper wrappers that they served their sandwiches in to small Styrofoam clamshell boxes to keep their sandwiches warm from the counter to the table. The Styrofoam containers had a use life of less than a minute and a landfill life of 1000 years. When conservationist complained McD's eventually relented and went back to wax paper wrappers (I'm sure at a cost savings for themselves). We all need to advocate businesses to use sustainable practices, after all consumers have the power of their purses, right?
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Cris Mullins (them/him) 4/26/2025 12:16 PM- Community Builder 🤝
- 14-DAY STREAK
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Cris Mullins (them/him) 4/26/2025 12:15 PM- Community Builder 🤝
- 14-DAY STREAK
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Mahesh Yetukuri 4/26/2025 5:36 AM
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John Gaffney 4/23/2025 6:39 AMI saw this suggestion online for lawn care, leave one strip unmoved allowing wild flowering weeds to grow to sustain pollinators. It cost nothing and works great.
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John Gaffney 4/21/2025 8:04 AMMy wife and I are planning a new home. There are so many conservation options when building a new home. One of the best forms of construction is building a modular home. Home walls are built in a factory and assembled at the site. Modular homes have many eco challenge advantages over "stick built" homes assembled in the field. Modular is NOT manufactured housing and far superior in insulation, windows, low VOC, wiring, and finishes. A well insulated home work like an ice chest keeping the inside cool in summer and warm in winter.
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Cris Mullins (them/him) 4/21/2025 8:27 AM- Community Builder 🤝
- 14-DAY STREAK
I am very young still and have a long way to go before I can buy & build my own house but every day I day dream about what it would be like!!! Good luck to you on this journey! -
Michele Bourst 4/21/2025 8:12 AM- Pet Parent 🐾
- 13-DAY STREAK
OMG I would love to be able to plan a new home with ALL the eco friendly and eco safe features....so much you could do to make your house as green as possible! LOVE THIS!!
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Empowering the Next GenerationWhat lessons did you learn from Indigenous conservation practices, and how can these inspire the next generation to create a more sustainable and equitable future?
John Gaffney 4/19/2025 1:22 PMMy house is 25 years old, I bought it new, The foundation plantings in the front are starting to die. I checked and the life span of ornamental holly is about 25 years so I guess they are due. I will probably replants a different type of shrub maybe azalea. Native variety of plants are easier maintenance.-
Lisa Brenskelle 4/19/2025 2:44 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 15-DAY STREAK
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirWhat surprised you most about your water footprint, and how did it influence your perspective on water use? What changes can you make to reduce your water consumption, and how will these impact your daily routine?
John Gaffney 4/17/2025 9:12 AMWe get our water from our municipality and they charge a high price for water they get from the sky for free. Their water tax inspires me to use less of the city water! -
John Gaffney 4/16/2025 11:19 AMMid April so time to plant a garden in the southeastern USA. Always learning new methods and concepts to saves the environment. This year I'm planting Tromboncino squash, an Italian variety has the same flavor as traditional squash or zucchini but is resistant to the squash vine borer insect pest. So a longer growing season without the need to use Carbaryl (Sevin dust insect spray). Carbaryl is toxic to pollinators like bees as well as the squash vine borer. Fingers crossed they work as promised. (see photo)
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Prachi Menghar 4/16/2025 11:24 AM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Plant Parent 🪴
- 13-DAY STREAK
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John Gaffney 4/15/2025 5:05 AMMy wife and I take our lunches rather eating fast food during the day. We use paper bags and reusable bottles for our beverage. When eating fast food like McD--- the amount of non recyclable waste is magnified exponentially. Those little aluminum foil ketchup packets create tons of waste.-
Cris Mullins (them/him) 4/15/2025 8:40 AM- Community Builder 🤝
- 14-DAY STREAK
Hi John! I totally agree with this - I can count on one hand the amount of times I went out to eat somewhere in the past few months. It's also so much rewarding eating things you've made yourself or that your partner has made with/for you! -
Ronaldo Bispo 4/15/2025 5:13 AM- Adventurer 🏔
- 15-DAY STREAK
Healthy and natural food brings enormous benefits to health and the environment, reducing health problems, unnecessary packaging
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand, Water, and AirAn 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?
John Gaffney 4/11/2025 4:48 PMMy wife and I plan meals and eat leftovers, we throw away much less food than $1,500 a year, mostly fresh fruit and veg.-
Lisa Brenskelle 4/11/2025 5:54 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 15-DAY STREAK
During an ecochallenge last year, I leaned proper ways to store fresh produce so that it lasts longer. This has reduced waste in my home.
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