Dhandapani Janarthanan
"Take action for every ecosystem, every creature. Let your actions this April speak volumes for our planet and its myriad of life forms."
POINTS TOTAL
- 45 TODAY
- 351 THIS WEEK
- 1,695 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO168meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO282milesnot traveled by car
-
UP TO282milestraveled by foot
-
UP TO1,345pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
-
UP TO2.0hoursvolunteered
-
UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
-
UP TO11public officials or leaderscontacted
-
UP TO13advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO1.0treeplanted
-
UP TO735minutesspent learning
Dhandapani's actions
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Invest in Nature
A healthy world needs both our daily actions and support from larger systems. I will spend 20 minutes learning about how I can use my investments and savings to advance environmental sustainability.
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.
Action Track: Community
Pick Up the Phone
I will gather a group of friends, family, neighbors or colleagues to make 1 phone calls to public officials or companies to advocate for planet-friendly policies.
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
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Reduce Animal Products
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 2 vegan meals each day this week.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Leave No Trace
I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace whenever I am outside.
Land + Forests
Carry My Trash
I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me this month, to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will post on the feed my reflections, conversations, and actions I will take moving forward.
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.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Plastic in Clothing and Water
Synthetic clothing can contain plastic and shed harmful microplastics into our water. I will use a microplastics catcher in my laundry, or install a microplastics filter for my washing machine.
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
Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs
When traveling, I will seek souvenirs that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 30 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.
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.
Climate + Air
Use Muscle Power
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
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
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
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).
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.
Action Track: Community
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.
Action Track: Community
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.
Action Track: Community
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.
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.
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?
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/27/2024 5:53 PMBeach cleanup activity....as part of eco challenge... thanks to emerson.-
Ann Lloyd 4/27/2024 6:48 PMExcellent job to you all! -
Sendhura Pandiyan S 4/27/2024 6:09 PMGreat -
Sakthi Dhandapani 4/27/2024 6:00 PMSuper
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/26/2024 4:37 PMIf it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.-
Sakthi Dhandapani 4/27/2024 6:00 PMWell said -
Karthik Shanmugam 4/27/2024 4:46 AM
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/25/2024 5:48 PMWe never know the worth of water till the well is dry.-
Karthik Shanmugam 4/25/2024 11:18 PM -
Pitch Chayanon 4/25/2024 6:53 PMYes indeed!
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/25/2024 1:14 AMWater can be scarce for many reasons: demand for water may be exceeding supply, water infrastructure may be inadequate, or institutions may be failing to balance everyone’s needs.Water scarcity is an increasing problem on every continent, with poorer communities most badly affected. To build resilience against climate change and to serve a growing population, an integrated and inclusive approach must be taken to managing this finite resource.
Water scarcity is a relative concept. The amount of water that can be physically accessed varies as supply and demand changes. Water scarcity intensifies as demand increases and/or as water supply is affected by decreasing quantity or quality.
Water is a finite resource in growing demand. As the global population increases, and resource-intensive economic development continues, many countries’ water resources and infrastructure are failing to meet accelerating demand.
Climate change is making water scarcity worse. The impacts of a changing climate are making water more unpredictable. Terrestrial water storage – the water held in soil, snow and ice – is diminishing. This results in increased water scarcity, which disrupts societal activity.
Women and girls are among the hardest hit. Poor and marginalized groups are on the frontline of any water scarcity crisis, impacting their ability to maintain good health, protect their families and earn a living. For many women and girls, water scarcity means more laborious, time-consuming water collection, putting them at increased risk of attack and often precluding them from education or work.
Lack of data means lack of integrated management. Many countries do not have well developed water monitoring systems, which prevents integrated water resource management that can balance the needs of communities and the wider economy, particularly in time of scarcity.
The way forward
Water has to be treated as a scarce resource. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) provides a broad framework for governments to align water use patterns with the needs and demands of different users, including the environment.
IWRM can control water stress. When a territory withdraws 25 per cent or more of its renewable freshwater resources it is said to be ‘water-stressed’. IWRM can control water stress by measures such as reducing losses from water distribution systems, safe wastewater reuse, desalination and appropriate water allocation.
Data, technology and communications have a critical role. IWRM depends on: good quality data on water resources; water-saving, green and hybrid technologies, particularly in industry and agriculture; and awareness campaigns to reduce the use of water in households and encourage sustainable diets and consumption.
Groundwater is part of the solution. Exploring, protecting and sustainably using groundwater will be central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
-
RAMESH KUMAR 4/25/2024 1:20 AM100% correct
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/24/2024 5:19 PMSave water 💧 🚿 🚰 💦 ♒️ 💧 ...
-
Karthik Shanmugam 4/25/2024 12:48 AMYes, Agree -
Yanqin Liu 4/24/2024 5:39 PMagreed
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/23/2024 5:46 PMJoining the Earth Month Eco Challenge shows our commitment to sustainability. We chose specific actions based on their impact and feasibility, aiming to make meaningful contributions to reducing our environmental footprint.-
Karthik Shanmugam 4/23/2024 6:40 PM
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/22/2024 5:30 PMToday's nature walk capture......-
Sakthi Dhandapani 4/25/2024 5:28 PMNice
-
-
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/21/2024 6:31 PMToday nature walk.. got the pic... -
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/20/2024 6:50 PMToday learning...........-
Karthik Shanmugam 4/21/2024 10:01 PM
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Understand My Water FootprintWhat did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?
Dhandapani Janarthanan 4/20/2024 5:02 AMI've learned that our water footprint includes not just direct water use, like drinking and washing, but also indirect water use through the products we consume. To reduce my water footprint, I'll be more mindful of my daily water usage, fix any leaks promptly, opt for water-efficient appliances, and choose products with lower water footprints when possible. Additionally, supporting initiatives that promote water conservation and sustainable water management practices can make a significant difference.