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Manuela Hinestroza's avatar

Manuela Hinestroza

Coursera

"Inspire and educate others about the wonders of our planet and empower more people to take meaningful actions towards a sustainable and thriving world for all"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 295 THIS WEEK
  • 740 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    carbon footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    5.0
    products
    replaced
  • UP TO
    35
    steps taken
    to protect pollinators
  • UP TO
    20
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    638
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    47
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    3.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    450
    minutes
    spent learning

Manuela's actions

Land, Water, and Air

Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 10 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn to be a Responsible Tourist

Being a responsible tourist means not disturbing wildlife and choosing eco-friendly tour operators and destinations that prioritize wildlife conservation and respect animal welfare. I will spend 30 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn How to Save the Bees

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 15 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Protect Pollinators with a Plant or Mini-Habitat

Pollinators need a little help from their friends like us! I will take 5 steps to protect pollinators, such as planting a pollinator-friendly plant, installing a pollinator hotel, or by leaving leaf litter for pollinators to call home.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Learn about Native Species

The world is full of unique species that all play an important role in nature. I will spend 30 minutes learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 2 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Sustainable Innovation

Replace Old Bulbs with LED Bulbs

Energy-efficient lighting is a bright idea. I will replace 20 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Choose a Product Made with Sustainable Materials

Every choice matters. I will purchase or switch to products made from sustainable or recycled materials to support innovation and reduce environmental impact.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

When companies and governments make large-scale changes to their products and practices, it makes sustainability more accessible to the masses, in turn creating further demand for sustainable products, and the cycle continues. I will advocate for improved, sustainable food packaging through petitions, letters, or by supporting brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging - and share my advocacy actions on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Prepare for Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Go Get a Check Up

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Host a Gathering

Bringing people together helps strengthen bonds. I will organize and host a gathering, such as a potluck, coffee meet up, or shared meal, for friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors to foster connection and community spirit.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Reduce Refined Sugar

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Plant (or Adopt) a Plant

Landscaping with native plants, gardening, and having plants inside can have benefits for nature and our health. I will plant or adopt a new plant or grow one from seeds and post a photo of it to the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Replace a Product

Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 5 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

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?


  • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/18/2025 6:04 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Congratulations to everyone who checked in today! I make sure to exercise for at least 25 minutes each day, and seeing the team's persistence really motivates me to keep going.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What product did you replace, and why was it important to you? How do you feel about making a small change for a healthier, more sustainable home?

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/16/2025 8:27 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I replaced:
    1. Makeup Remover Pads for reusable ones that you can wash
    2. I replaced the plastic bags in the fruit and vegetable aisle with environmentally friendly sacks I bring with me to the supermarket.
    3. I replaced plastic wrap in the kitchen for Beeswax Wraps.
    4. I replaced plastic containers for glass containers.
    5. I replaced ziplock bags for silicon reusable bags.

    • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
      Manuela Hinestroza 4/18/2025 6:06 PM
      • Climate Advocate 🌱
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      I really appreciate my reusable bags, especially for storing frozen food in the freezer.

    • Harkiran Saluja's avatar
      Harkiran Saluja 4/17/2025 9:05 AM
      • Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
      • 13-DAY STREAK
      That's great! I didn't know there were reusable makeup remover pads.

    • Ella Arce's avatar
      Ella Arce 4/16/2025 9:16 AM
      • Plant Parent 🪴
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      Great job! How are you liking the silicon reusable bags? I hear they are a hit or miss with folk and I end up just using glass or metal instead.

  • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/16/2025 8:10 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I had granola with greek yougurt and red berries (blueberries and raspberries) to increase my fruit consumption today. red berries are particularly good for heart health, digestion, and may also contribute to skin health and cognitive function.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    How did it feel to plant something, and what kind of gardening did you do (indoors, hydroponic, outside in a garden, etc)? What did you plant and where? Feel free to share a photo to the feed!

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/15/2025 11:28 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I planted mint, basil and pepermint inside, I wanted to have my own herbs supply to cook at home to avoid generating additional waste. They are close to a window though to get enough sunlight.

    • Rachel Rosen's avatar
      Rachel Rosen 4/16/2025 6:44 AM
      • ORG CAPTAIN
      • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      Such a great idea and such beautiful execution! You are inspiring me, I want to keep basil as well.

    • Rahul Satpute's avatar
      Rahul Satpute 4/15/2025 11:36 AM
      • Foodie 🍱
      • 18-DAY STREAK
      Planting something with my own hands felt incredibly rewarding and peaceful. It gave me a sense of connection to the Earth and reminded me of the beauty of nurturing life. I chose to do outdoor gardening in a small patch near my home, where I planted tomatoes, tulsi (holy basil), and a few flowering plants like marigolds.
      Watching the seeds sprout and grow over time brought a deep sense of joy and purpose. It also made me more mindful of nature’s rhythms and the importance of caring for our environment in small, everyday ways. Gardening has not only brightened up my surroundings but has also helped me reduce food waste by using compost and saved a few trips to the market for herbs.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    Before you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now? What was the most challenging part of reducing refined sugar, and how did you overcome it?

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/15/2025 7:22 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I was not addicted to sugar, but I did think it was necessary to enjoy tea or coffee for example. It was surprisingly easy to get used to have them without sugar, and now I don't imaine it any other way.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What was the most rewarding part of bringing people together for a gathering? Did you experience any challenges in hosting, and if so, how did you overcome them?

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/15/2025 7:09 AM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I hosted my Bday gathering, and asked people to instead of bringing a gift, to implement 1 new sustainable practice and tell me all about. They did things from changing to bamboo toothbrush, getting reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, reciclying, etc. It was a very happy moment.

    • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
      Manuela Hinestroza 4/15/2025 11:36 AM
      • Climate Advocate 🌱
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      Thank you :)

    • Rachel Rosen's avatar
      Rachel Rosen 4/15/2025 10:43 AM
      • ORG CAPTAIN
      • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      This is really great Manuela! Also, happy belated birthday 🎉
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What motivated you to schedule or attend your check-up, and how did it make you feel afterward that you completed this action?

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/14/2025 10:07 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I hadn't had a check up in a while, this challenge motivated me to get more active about my health

  • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/14/2025 10:01 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Have changed by make up brushes from bamboo ones.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What 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?

    Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/14/2025 10:00 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    I have started to apply dish soap to everything first and just then rinse everything together to save more water.

  • Manuela Hinestroza's avatar
    Manuela Hinestroza 4/14/2025 9:58 PM
    • Climate Advocate 🌱
    • 16-DAY STREAK
    Great walk today with a sunny day