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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Freshwater + Oceans
Dishwasher Efficiency
Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than a dishwasher. To save water, I will use a dishwasher and scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Action Track: Community
Raise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
I will spend 30 minutes learning more about the importance of freshwater + ocean conservation, and how I can reduce my water use. I will share what I learn with people in person, on social media, and on the feed.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Endangered Species
Wildlife and biodiversity play an important role on our planet and are being threatened each year. I will spend 20 minutes each day learning about the current status of local or global wildlife and how I can align my actions to support their livelihood.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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 12 native trees in my community, public parks, office location, campus or backyard.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Learn about Native Species
The world is full of unique species. I will spend 25 minutes each day learning what the native plants and wildlife are in my region.
COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS
Freshwater + Oceans
Say No to Plastic Straws
An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS
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
Climate + AirCalculate My Carbon Impact
Where in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Probably with all the products I use. I changed my cleaning products to Origins of Clean. I use green, organic cleaners. I don't want to use chemicals that hurt the environment in my home, just to it rinse down the drain to be processed and cleaned again to be used somewhere else. I changed out plastic containers to glass. I even changed to reusable Ziploc bags instead of the one and done ones. We make sure we recycle everything we can so we limit what is going into the dump. My father was a homesteader so we really learned to use everything or find someone who could use it again. That's not hard to do with the family across the street that has 18 kids.
Transforming my back yard by removing the grass and putting in raised beds and zero scape is a lot of hard work. However the end result is plenty of food I can share with my friends and neighbors.
I am most proud of getting rid of my grass and transforming my back yard into a garden and zero scape. Taking things from a seedling and watching them grow into food is very gratifying to me.
Action Track: CommunityRaise Awareness for the Conservation of Freshwater and Oceans
What did you learn about freshwater and oceans you did not already know? In sharing this information with people in your life, which conversation was impactful to you?
Less than 2% of the Earth's water supply is fresh water, and more that 1000 children under 5 die a day from contaminated water. It is so incredibly sad that there isn't clean water for children worldwide.
How 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?
My neighbor and I have a compost bin so we don't throw away things that can be used to make fertilizer. We compost so we have better garden beds, that grow healthier fruits and vegetables organically without pesticides.
I've taught my kids if you wash as you go it doesn't pile up. We use the dishwasher only if we have a ton of dishes. But for the day to day dishes get washed by hand.
If 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?
I have changed all the bulbs in my home to led bulbs. I have also changed out my thermostat to run during certain times and not when people aren't home. I have a smart home.
Our consumption choices affects the wildlife and other communities by things like the methane gas the landfills produce from the waste. The pests that the rotting food produces, which also contributes to water and food pollution.
