Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2023

Michael Gear

"Care for the environment, protect the planet. Be mindful, reduce waste, promote sustainability. Create a better future for everyone and generations to come. Preserve the beauty and diversity of our planet."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,110 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

3.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

580

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

37

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

345

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1,055

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

220

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

1,055

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

44

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Michael's actions

Education & Livelihood

Stay on the Ground

SDG 11

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally). As an example, a plane from New York to Los Angeles (~2,450 miles) generates about 65 tons of carbon dioxide.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Attend the E-Waste Lunch and Learn

The Cincinnati Green Team will be hosting a Lunch and Learn for re-using old computers 4/27/2023 and providing and Empanada Lunch from a local company.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Watch a Documentary About Food, Water, or Basic Needs

SDG 6

I will watch 2 documentaries about food, water, or basic needs.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement

SDG 6

I will spend 30 minutes learning about water justice in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Introduction to Small Scale Composting

Join the Cincinnati Green Team for a presentation on an introduction to small scale composting on April 18th from 1:00-2:00 PM in room 02N032.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate & Ecosystems

Advocate for Water Habitat!

SDG 14

I will make 0 phone calls and/or send 1 emails to public officials to advocate for water habitat protection and clean up in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

WORLDCLIMATE eLEARNING

Complete the Deloitte WORLDCLIMATE eLEARNING found within the "Learn More" drop-down menu.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG 3

I will replace 30 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.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG 3

I will spend 10 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG 2

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 2 meatless meals and/or 0 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Take 5-Minute Or Less Showers

SDG 6

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.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Know Your Produce

SDG 2

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Research Impact Investing

SDG 8

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing or my current investment portfolio to determine if they align with my values.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Watch a Documentary About Economy, Energy, or Industry

SDG 7, 9, 12

I will watch 3 documentaries about economy, energy, or industry.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Carry My Trash

SDG 12

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

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Calculate Your Carbon Impact

SDG 13

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Education & Livelihood Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Michael Gear 4/30/2023 4:24 PM

I elected to fly to Detroit and drive to Grand Rapids rather than doing two flights. I enjoyed driving on a nice day! I typically try to drive when a trip is under a 5 hr drive and plan to continue!

Read More
Michael Gear 4/30/2023 11:17 AM

Thanks to the Cincinnati Green Team for putting this Earth Ecochallenge team together! I had a great time exploring ways we can better impact society and the environment. Glad I could put efforts toward something so constructive this month!!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement

Who is affected by water insecurity in your region? How are they affected? How are you impacted by water insecurity?

Michael Gear 4/26/2023 8:17 AM

Vast amounts of lower income communities in Ohio are affected by water insecurities. Many communities in surrounding areas have unsafe water and decrepit infrastructure. This is exaugurated by large industry in the east of Ohio in Appalachia that can be producing pollutants that then go into our water sources. Personally, I use a zero 5 stage carbon filter for my water in order to avoid larger water insecurity issues in the city.

Read More
Michael Gear 4/25/2023 11:23 AM

I went to the FC Cincinnati game this weekend and saw that they had some really cool new jerseys for Earth Day. I thought I would share this article on the new Addidas jerseys because they are made out of recycled ocean plastic. This is a pretty cool idea that I am glad both the team and Addidas are working on because it's such a functional way to positively impact the environment.

Read More
- Arghya Sen 4/25/2023 11:31 AM
  
  Good to know !
  
  Read More
Michael Gear 4/19/2023 12:53 PM

Hi All,

I hope everyone's Earth Month Goals are going well! Personally, I am happy to have a month dedicated to these environmental and social topics in order to remind myself of their importance. In general, it is fun to learn some new things too! I loved learning about composting yesterday and hope I can find some more cool topics to share with everyone.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity Practice Mindfulness

What was it like to practice mindfulness? If this is a practice for you already, what was something new you understood in practicing during Earth Month?

Michael Gear 4/18/2023 7:54 AM

I always enjoy allowing myself to wind down and just focus on the moment. I try to incorporate this into my life usually but sometimes distractions may get in the way and I need to find a way back to it. In general with Earth month it is nice to try to do this and nature and just hear the way the Earth can be connected.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security Reduce Animal Product Consumption

What was the tastiest meatless or vegan meal you ever had or had recently? Did you make it? Can you share a recipe?

Michael Gear 4/14/2023 7:31 AM

I grew up loving Irish food so I was very excited to find a recipe for Vegan Shepards pie that I made! Vegan lentil shepherd's pie: Made with lentils, vegetables, and topped with mashed sweet potato or mashed cauliflower.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities Watch a Documentary About Economy, Energy, or Industry

What did you watch, and what was the most important thing you learned in the documentaries you watched? How does what you learned connect to your understanding of climate change and Earth Month?

Michael Gear 4/13/2023 6:56 AM

I watched a few documentaries but the one that I was most excited about was "All that Breathes" on HBO. It was about a family who saves a bird called a Kite in India and the connection that they have with us and nature. In terms of how I connect this with Earth month I think it is important to think about all of our impacts not just personally but to nature and wildlife as well. There are many great species of animal near our community and ensuring they are protected will help the Earth thrive.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate & Ecosystems Advocate for Water Habitat!

Why is water habitat important to you?

Michael Gear 4/11/2023 7:08 AM

Our watershed is important because it affects every bit of human and natural life in the area. With the East Palestine Train Derailment, I thought it would be important to advocate for the protection of the Ohio Valley watershed. With this I emailed both Mike Dewine and the State Director of Agriculture. Pictured below is the expansive watershed we live on.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security Know Your Produce

What surprised you about the two produce lists? How will you use these lists for your grocery shopping? Have you used these lists before?

Michael Gear 4/06/2023 7:11 AM

What continuously surprises me about organic vs nonorganic is how many chemicals can be used for non-organic produce. It really makes you think about what you are eating! Overall, for a small change in price it feels great to promote local sustainable farming with organic produce that tastes better.

Read More