Kate McGregor
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 609 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO25meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO6.6poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO14pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO332gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO0.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO975minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO35minutesspent learning
Kate's actions
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.
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.
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
Explore My Area
When we explore natural spaces around us, our connections with them change. I will spend 120 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, office, or campus (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).
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
Weekly Meal Planning
One third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and so is the energy it takes to produce and transport that food. I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need and eating what I planned each day.
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.
Action Track: Community
Visit the Earth Day Celebration in the Agora
On Monday April 22 from 10:30-2:00pm, the Sustainability Office is hosting an Earth Day celebration! Come and learn about sustainability and climate action initiatives taking place at JAC and in the wider community. Take part in a workshop and pick up some seedlings or house plants!
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.
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
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 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Check out the Campus Biodiversity Network
I will download the INatuarlist app and take the new tour of nature and wildlife on the JAC campus.
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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Kate McGregor 4/29/2024 6:27 AMI'm growing more of my own food every year. Last year I grew a year's supply of garlic and tomatoes (which I canned). This year I'm trying to grow my own beans for drying, and will hopefully get a good supply. I also grow a lot of other veggies and flowers. Here is a pic of my seedling set up!-
Jenna Cassidy 4/29/2024 4:53 PMThis is so cool!!
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Kate McGregor 4/26/2024 12:34 PMHad fun this year! I could have taken on some more one-time actions, but maybe I will next year. I enjoyed spending more time outside, listening more for bird song, and keeping an eye out for the first wildflowers of spring. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Community 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?
Kate McGregor 4/16/2024 5:27 AMMy daughter is graduating from elementary school this spring, and instead of buying an expensive dress she'll only wear once, we borrowed one from a friend. Additionally, I'm a member of my local "Buy Nothing Project" which is an amazing resource for giving and receiving items we might normally throw out or purchase new. -
Kate McGregor 4/16/2024 4:57 AMI saw a huge flock of cedar waxwings in a juniper bush this morning on my walk! They are so gorgeous. I wasn't able to get a picture, but here is a photo I found just to show how stunning they are.-
ANITHA KRISHNAMURTHY 4/16/2024 5:11 AMYes, Its really beautiful -
Priyanka Choubey 4/16/2024 5:09 AMSo Beautiful!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Beauty and Personal ProductsWhat new insights did you gain about the skincare products you use? Did you reach out to advocate for refillable or recyclable packaging?
Kate McGregor 4/15/2024 5:19 AMIn the last few years I've focused on using only "clean" beauty and personal care products. These companies tend to offer products in recyclable or refillable packaging. Some of my favourite brands are Attitude, Cheekbone beauty, and Bkind.-
Jenna Cassidy 4/15/2024 4:17 PMI use Attitude products too! I've been using their shampoo and conditioner for about 2 years. Another clean brand is hello, I really like their deodorant (it's bpa free, cruelty free, uses natural fragrances).
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Kate McGregor 4/15/2024 5:01 AMI explored some trails I don't normally use in the Morgan Arboretum this weekend. Lots of signs of spring to be found. Including wildflowers (Spring Beauty and Bloodroot) scarlet cup mushrooms, willow and maple buds, and forsythia. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal ProductsHow does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 11:18 AMI have mixed feelings on this topic. While I agree that factory farmed and mas produced animal products have a terrible impact on the planet and animal welfare, I believe that supporting farms which use regenerative agricultural practices can actually be beneficial to the environment. Animals raised on pasture can restore and enrich the ecosystem. That said, I try to eat meatless as often as possible, and purchase meat directly from small producers who use organic and ecological farming practices. One of my favourites is (fermedoree.com) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests 30 for 30 in NatureWhat have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?
Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:44 AMBeing outside = instant stress reduction, especially going for a walk on my lunch break. With the warm weather lately, I've also been enjoying simply sitting in my backyard and listening to the birds. The backyard is currently filled with bright blue scilla flowers which smell amazing. Bees are everywhere too. Looking forward to checking the forest for wildflowers!-
AKHIL MANDALAPU 4/11/2024 7:56 AMGood Nature!! -
Lauryn Duoto 4/11/2024 7:45 AMBrings instant peace - bonus to work outside!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate + Air Weekly Meal PlanningHow did it feel to plan out your meals and stick to them in an effort to reduce food waste?
Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:37 AMI'm loving meal planning! Not only am I using up all the produce in my fridge, but it's a lot less stressful. Meals usually end up being healthier too, as there's way less last-minute "easy" food or takeout.-
Melissa Tomecz 4/11/2024 5:10 PMI chose to do this action about two or three years ago and we still do this today. It is soooo much easier when you know what you'll be eating for the whole week, rather than having to think last minute on something that you weren't prepared to make in time and you are starving. It is so much more efficient, sustainable and happier! Now when I get home for dinner, I can already look forward to what we'll be eating and making, instead of wondering hangrily what we can feed ourselves. LOL -
AKHIL MANDALAPU 4/11/2024 8:17 AMNice Information -
Shrishti Prajapati 4/11/2024 7:40 AMAlso saves us from an overwhelming situation about what to cook today.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Zero Waste DayWhat was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:27 AMA zero waste day is harder than I thought, so many things come wrapped in plastic. I ate all my meals and drinks at home, cooked with bulk dried beans and made flour tortillas from scratch. I'm also really enjoying this silicone lid I have, which fits on a mason jar. It's great for iced coffee or smoothies.-
Lauryn Duoto 4/11/2024 7:46 AMWhoa! so innovative, love it!
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