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Kate McGregor's avatar

Kate McGregor

JAC Sustainability

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 609 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    25
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    6.6
    pounds
    food waste prevented
  • UP TO
    14
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    332
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    0.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    975
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    35
    minutes
    spent 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.

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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.).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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?


  • Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/29/2024 6:27 AM
    I'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!

  • Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/26/2024 12:34 PM
    Had 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 QUESTION
    Action Track: Community Borrow Before I Buy
    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?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/16/2024 5:27 AM
    My 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's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/16/2024 4:57 AM
    I 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.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Beauty and Personal Products
    What new insights did you gain about the skincare products you use? Did you reach out to advocate for refillable or recyclable packaging?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/15/2024 5:19 AM
    In 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's avatar
      Jenna Cassidy 4/15/2024 4:17 PM
      I 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).

  • Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/15/2024 5:01 AM
    I 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 QUESTION
    Biodiversity + Wildlife Reduce Animal Products
    How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 11:18 AM
    I 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 QUESTION
    Land + Forests 30 for 30 in Nature
    What have you noticed about how it feels to spend consistent time outside?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:44 AM
    Being 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!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Climate + Air Weekly Meal Planning
    How did it feel to plan out your meals and stick to them in an effort to reduce food waste?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:37 AM
    I'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's avatar
      Melissa Tomecz 4/11/2024 5:10 PM
      I 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's avatar
      AKHIL MANDALAPU 4/11/2024 8:17 AM
      Nice Information

    • Shrishti Prajapati's avatar
      Shrishti Prajapati 4/11/2024 7:40 AM
      Also saves us from an overwhelming situation about what to cook today.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land + Forests Zero Waste Day
    What was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?

    Kate McGregor's avatar
    Kate McGregor 4/11/2024 7:27 AM
    A 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.