As an educational piece we handed out soap bars, produced with only natural ingredients by a local manufacturer (www.suederei.ch). By using solid soap instead of bottled shower gel, we can reduce waste and the pollution of our water, eg. due to microplastics.
Isabel Locher
"There is on Planet B"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,231 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO59meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO187milestraveled by foot
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UP TO187milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO1.0Carbon FootprintCalculated
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UP TO48pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO30poundswaste composted
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO2.0community eventshosted or attended
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UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
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UP TO1,260minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO1.0treeplanted
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UP TO110minutesspent learning
Isabel's 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Action Track: Community
JOIN OR CREATE A GREEN TEAM AT EMERSON
I will continue to contribute to Emerson's environmental sustainability goals beyond April by learning more about the Global Green Teams Network, joining a team near me, or maybe even creating a new team.
Action Track: Community
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NEWS ON SUSTAINABILITY AT EMERSON
I will sign up to the Sustainability Aficionados distribution list to receive global news on sustainability at Emerson, including world news and Greening OF, BY, and WITH news.
Action Track: Community
TAKE PICTURES AND SHARE ON LINKEDIN
I will take at least one photograph that is connected with this year's theme of Nature Conservation & Biodiversity (for example an urban park, bee hives, birds and other animals...) and I will post it on LinkedIn with the hashtags #EarthMonthEcochallenge #EarthMonthAtEmerson.
Action Track: Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hours in my community.
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.
Action Track: Community
ATTEND THE ECOCHALLENGE CONSERVATION WEBINAR
On Wed 24th April, I will attend the Earth Month Ecochallenge Webinar on Conservation to learn about what individuals, companies and other organizations can do to promote biodiversity and nature protection.
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.
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 0 vegan meals each day this week.
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.
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).
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.
Land + Forests
Compost Food Waste
Food in the landfill is one of the main sources of greenhouse gasses. I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day by composting my food.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community Sustainability Lunch and LearnWho did you engage in your lunch and learn? What resources did you use? How did it go and what did you learn?
Isabel Locher 4/22/2024 4:25 AMFor today's Earth Day, we provided a salad bar with a variety of healthy and tasty food options.
As an educational piece we handed out soap bars, produced with only natural ingredients by a local manufacturer (www.suederei.ch). By using solid soap instead of bottled shower gel, we can reduce waste and the pollution of our water, eg. due to microplastics.-
Claudia Zimmermann 4/22/2024 9:08 AMI like it. Nice idea.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Compost Food WasteNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Isabel Locher 4/18/2024 1:26 AMTo have a container for compost next the the regular waste container is very normal here in Switzerland. So even if you do not have a garden yourself, you can contribute to the recycling of your organic waste. The recycled waste is turned into e.g. compost soil to be used for gardening again.
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Robert Wurbs 4/18/2024 2:57 AMVery valid point Isabel.
In Austria the compost bin is sometimes not mandatory to have, but as you said, if you do not have a garden it is also beneficial to support this community composting service.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Carry My TrashThis is no small task! What was eye-opening to you throughout this action? How will you change your actions going forward to reduce the waste you produce?
Isabel Locher 4/09/2024 1:36 AMThis action is not a huge difference to my usual behavior, as I grew up the way that we should not leave our trash behind. As a family we spent nearly every weekend enjoying nature with hiking, swimming in the lake, playing in the forest... and it was clear for each of us that we do not want to play in the trash. You learn to respect nature as the source of live and we are only small bugs in it ;)
Nowadays, we try to avoid unnecessary packaging when we go shopping, e.g. by bringing our own bags and purposely decide not to buy items that are wrapped when there is a "open" option. Some shops even accept if you bring your own Tupperware to carry e.g. fresh meat in it or bags for the vegetables or cereals. It means a bit of informing yourself upfront and planning ahead but it is very doable. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal ProductsHow does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Isabel Locher 4/05/2024 9:09 AMI calculated my carbon footprint using the WWF-Calculator and even that I'm well below the Swiss average, there is always still room for improvement.
One recommendation is to reduce animal-based protein resources and replace them with e.g chickpea, lentils, beans etc to still keep a balanced and healthy diet. I think this is something everyone can try as the production of animal-based foods such as meat, cheese or butter causes significantly more emissions than plant-based foods. Also, almost a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by clearing land for livestock farming.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Isabel Locher 4/02/2024 1:58 AMto commute by bike gives me the opportunity to spend time outside every day, get fresh air, experience the different seasons and it helps me to sort my mind after an intensive work day.-
René Fath 4/02/2024 5:30 AMFrom April on it shuld be possible to do so more often ;-)
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