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Helena Lam's avatar

Helena Lam

Greening Guidewire

"My mission is to educate others about simple sustainable actions, such as shopping local/thrifting, using public transportation, and eating meatless often. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 40 THIS WEEK
  • 349 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    15
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    4.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    2.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    15
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning

Helena's 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

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 1 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate + Air

Consume only Needs vs Wants

The more stuff we consume, the more greenhouse gasses we put into the atmosphere. I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach this month and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 20 minutes learning about regenerative agriculture and find out if any nearby farms practice regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land + Forests

Explore My Area

When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 60 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Freshwater + Oceans

Go Plastic-Free

Millions of tons of plastic is produced each year worldwide. Each day, I will conduct a plastics audit of what I buy and use throughout the challenge (kitchen, bathroom, personal care products, etc.), to see how single-use plastic shows up in my life. I will find plastic-free alternatives to these products and advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, product manufacturers, at work, or on campus.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Community

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will organize or participate in a trash pickup at a local river, beach, or natural body of water.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 2 hours in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs
    How do your consumption choices affect the health of wildlife and other communities?

    Helena Lam's avatar
    Helena Lam 4/22/2024 11:27 AM
    I recently went on a short trip to see the superbloom flowers during a trip to southern California. While I did have to drive, I opted to buy a secondhand souvenirs, including some vintage postcards highlighting the flower from a local business.

  • Helena Lam's avatar
    Helena Lam 4/03/2024 12:00 PM
    Going plastic free was difficult today as my pasta was in a plastic sleeve, as an alternative I may seek to go to a bulk store to buy some from now on.

    • Samruka Mahendran's avatar
      Samruka Mahendran 4/03/2024 12:14 PM
      small steps accumulate to the big action, keep going. 🌳

    • Isamara Oliveira's avatar
      Isamara Oliveira 4/03/2024 12:12 PM
      Good reflection, it is difficult to change our entire routine and consumption of plastic. The important thing is to stay alert and try to see another alternative next time.

  • Helena Lam's avatar
    Helena Lam 4/01/2024 6:08 PM
    Went to my zero waste/refill shop to get local honey and some refills of essentials