Lisa Howe
"To inspire and mobilize communities for a brighter future, committing to cleaning up our planet and fiercely protecting its diverse inhabitants. Championing the health of our environment and every creature through sustainable living. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 35 TODAY
- 245 THIS WEEK
- 1,367 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO240pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO416pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO0.0advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO810minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO10treesplanted
-
UP TO1,830minutesspent learning
Lisa's actions
Land + Forests
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.
Climate + Air
Bring Outside Inside
I commit to nurturing my indoor garden for at least 15 minutes daily, dedicating this time to both plant care and exploring eco-friendly methods to enhance indoor air quality. This practice will not only purify the air in my home but also contribute to lowering my carbon footprint.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Beauty and Personal Products
Beauty and personal products can create a lot of waste. I will spend 30 minutes learning about the beauty and body products I use to see if they are refillable or recyclable. If not, I will reach out to the manufacturer to advocate for those options.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 30 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Save the Bees
Bees are vital to ecosystems. To help save the bees, I will learn which local flowers provide nectar and plant them in my backyard or in a pot on my balcony.
Land + Forests
Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper
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. Buying products that help protect forests makes a difference. I will only purchase wood, furniture, and paper products from ecologically certified sources such as Forest Stewardship Council.
Land + Forests
Personal Waste Audit
The waste we create daily can go unnoticed. I will track the waste I create in a day and post a photo log on the feed to see how much I create and where I can make different choices to reduce my waste going forward.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Low Water Gardening
Grass lawns are water-intensive and on average require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. Native plants are water-efficient and help maintain the balance and diversity of local ecosystems. I will plant native species with water-efficient plants to conserve water and improve the habitat, then post a photo on the feed to share.
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 30 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
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.
Freshwater + Oceans
Join a Cleanup Effort
I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.
Land + Forests
30 for 30 in Nature
Studies have shown that when we spend consistent time in nature, our health improves, our creativity increases, and our connection to the planet gets stronger. Each day of the Ecochallenge, I will spend 30 minutes outside (in a large or small patch of nature), then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.
Land + Forests
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.
Land + Forests
Regenerative Agriculture and Me
Regenerative agriculture focuses on farming and ranching in a way that supports life and restores the soil. I will spend 60 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.
Land + Forests
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 30 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).
Land + Forests
Advocate for Forest Protection
Using my voice can help create a more sustainable and just world. I will contact 1 local, regional, or national decision makers to advocate for public policy that protects forests and improves their ability to sequester carbon and nourish biodiversity.
Land + Forests
Plant Trees
Trees capture carbon and produce oxygen that is essential to life on earth. I will support this important piece of nature by organizing or joining a community group to plant 1 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.
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.
Climate + Air
Online Energy Audit
Energy use and waste is often invisible. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
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.
Climate + Air
Declutter My Home Without the Landfill
Each day, I will learn about responsible ways to dispose of items and de-clutter, clean, donate, repurpose or recycle unneeded items in my home to make sure that what I get rid of doesn't go into the landfill.
Climate + Air
Low Carbon Diet
Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere in a variety of ways, including through the foods we eat and food we waste. I will learn about low carbon foods and replace higher carbon foods with them in my diet.
Climate + Air
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.
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 QUESTIONLand + Forests Regenerative Agriculture and MeWhat did you learn about the practice and benefits of regenerative agriculture? How can you support healthy farming practices for people and the planet?
Lisa Howe 4/24/2024 12:43 PMReading up on regenerative agriculture in preparation for starting a small raised bed garden inspired me to carefully select the plants that I am choosing to make sure they are right for my region, and renewable in my environment. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Borrow Before I BuyHow did you participate in the sharing economy? (Consider posting a photo!) What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?
Lisa Howe 4/24/2024 12:37 PMThere is a lovely second hand store within walking distance of my house. I always start there for anything I need or any creative projects I want to try. I find the most amazing things there. Even some things hand made in my community. Always look around and support local before looking elsewhere or adding to the commercialism buying new.
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Stay on the GroundWhat was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?
Lisa Howe 4/23/2024 6:45 AMTime off is important and taking a break from your daily routine can be very beneficial for wellness but you don't have to go too far away to find different scenery. Look around in your area for different activities. Invite a friend out or just go volunteer at a park. Here is one place I found less than an hour from my house that is axe throwing venue that also has Hobbiton vibes.
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Save the BeesWhat did you plant for bees in your area? Please consider uploading a photo!
Lisa Howe 4/23/2024 6:33 AMI am taking a cutting of phlox from my mother's patch which the bees love to bring to my yard nearby in east Tennessee. Looking forward to a stabilizing ground cover that will flourish in my climate and is also good for my winged neighbors.
https://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/flowers-for-bees -
Lisa Howe 4/22/2024 9:52 AMDon't miss today's google doodle celebrating earth day:
The description also tells where each of the aerial photo "letters" are taken from explaining their global environmental significance!
https://doodles.google/doodle/earth-day-2024/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Choose Renewable EnergyIf you are already signed up for your utility's renewable option, what other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage? If your company doesn't offer a renewable option, were they open to your request of this in the future?
Lisa Howe 4/22/2024 7:13 AMI am fortunate to learn that I live in an area mainly supplied by hydropower. I enjoyed reading about the environmental stewardship commitment and the community volunteer options available for park cleanups in my area.
https://www.tva.com/environment/environmental-stewardship -
Lisa Howe 4/22/2024 6:55 AMReflection for today reminds us to appreciate nature.
"Lines Written in Early Spring" by William Wordsworth
I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:—
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.
https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/sSnL3Ud3PvQUkj8qfRhD?ru=asil -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Plant TreesHow is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
Lisa Howe 4/20/2024 2:24 PMYou might not have the room in your yard or might live in a community where you are not allowed to add to the flora. That doesn't mean you can't plant trees. Consider joining a tree planting society such as https://www.arborday.org/. They will plant 10 trees with as little as a $45 donation or if you can plant trees they will send them to you for your to plant!
https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/vTsQMTSjMkAamtDCenGA?ru=asil -
Lisa Howe 4/16/2024 8:15 AM'Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.'
-William Wordsworth
Spring Morning
In the morning it was chilly
but the blooming of the lily
and the grass all wet with dew
the more the greening grew
I was there, were you?
https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/l9F7PHqeeny4H016LwFC?ru=asil -
Lisa Howe 4/10/2024 9:57 AMApril and earth month remind us to take pleasure in the simple things in life like the renewal all around us in the blooming of the flowers and the greening of the trees and grasses.
[I wandered lonely as a Cloud] by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o’er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden Daffodils;
Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:—
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the shew to me had brought:
For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.
https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/D4JsRBfswJZRcEVn5t23?ru=asil