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Evelyn Newton's avatar

Evelyn Newton

JAC Sustainability

"Librarian-in-training, trying to make a positive impact and conserve our environment."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,734 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    58
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    151
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    2.0
    water collection systems
    installed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    product
    replaced with sustainable alternatives
  • UP TO
    1.0
    sharing economy
    explored
  • UP TO
    3.0
    ideas
    shared
  • UP TO
    8.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    4.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    53
    species
    logged for community science
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent learning

Evelyn's actions

Health and Well-Being

Reduce Refined Sugar

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

Collect Rain Water

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports gardens. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for 3 outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Plant (or Adopt) a Plant

Landscaping with native plants, gardening, and having plants inside can have benefits for nature and our health. I will plant or adopt a new plant or grow one from seeds and post a photo of it to the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Enjoy a Meatless Meal

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 2 meatless meals and/or 0 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Host a Gathering

Bringing people together helps strengthen bonds. I will organize and host a gathering, such as a potluck, coffee meet up, or shared meal, for friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors to foster connection and community spirit.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Swap and Share with Others

Swapping and sharing resources reduces waste and builds community bonds. I will participate in 1 swaps or sharing activities, like borrowing items, attending or hosting a swap meet, or giving away items I no longer need to support a sharing economy with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Prepare for Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can disrupt lives and upend our communities. I will take proactive steps to prepare for extreme weather by safeguarding my home and creating or updating an emergency plan and kit with essential supplies, evacuation routes, and contact information.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Earth Day in the Agora

Come by the Agora on April 22nd and visit the different booths and activities. Bring your own mug for some free fairtrade hot chocolate.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Offer a Skill or Service

Sharing our talents can benefit those around us. I will offer my skills or services to support my community, such as helping someone with a task, tutoring, repairing something, or volunteering my expertise.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Learn to be a Responsible Tourist

Being a responsible tourist means not disturbing wildlife and choosing eco-friendly tour operators and destinations that prioritize wildlife conservation and respect animal welfare. I will spend 15 minutes researching ways to travel responsibly to ensure my adventures support, rather than harm, wildlife and their habitats.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Donate to Support Wildlife

There are many amazing projects supporting wildlife and their habitats. I will choose a project or organization to support that helps species and habitats I care about and make a donation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Attend a Local Event

Local events such as farmers' markets, festivals, or community meetings like town halls are great ways to feel part of a community. I will attend 5 community events to connect with others and learn more about my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Log Species to Help Scientists

The more we know about the wildlife around us, the better we can protect species. I will download a wildlife monitoring app and log 2 animal or plant species I discover.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Land, Water, and Air

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Keep My Community Clean

A clean community benefits everyone. Each day I am outside, I will pick up 10 pieces of litter to keep my community clean.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Community and Connection

Share Information about Local Resources

Knowledge of local resources helps communities thrive. I will learn about local resources, especially mutual aid groups, and share them with others on social media, in conversations, or in other ways that help spread the word.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Reduce Food Waste

Wasting food also wastes water, energy, and resources. I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Well-Being

Replace a Product

Small changes can make a big difference for health and sustainability. Using what I learned from auditing ingredients in the products I use, I will replace 4 toxic or harmful products I use with safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

Go Get a Check Up

Regular health check-ups help prevent problems before they start. I will schedule or attend a medical, dental, or mental health check-up to take care of my well-being.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Native Bee Workshop

On April 23 from 11:30-1:00pm in AME-120, learn about all the “other” bees who have been living in the shadow of the honey bee for far too long. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: -Introduction to the wonderful world of wild bees -Gain skills on how to identify wild bees -Learn what you can do to help them thrive on campus & in your own backyard

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Well-Being

De-Stress Fest

Join us in the Agora on April 23-24 for our famous de-stress fest. Animal therapy, massage chairs, sound room and more!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Recycling Workshop

Learn about the new provincial recycling rules and get useful tips for sorting materials at home. Presentation offered by Société VIA April 17th in AME-606 12:30-1:30pm

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Empowering the Next Generation

Support a Youth-Led Project

Youth-led projects drive innovation and change. I will support youth-led environmental projects by offering time, resources, or encouragement and share how I supported youth on the Ecochallenge feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Sustainable Innovation

Invest in the Future of Sustainability

Sustainable investments shape a greener future. I will research and invest in companies, funds, or projects that supports sustainability, such as renewable energy, green tech, or sustainable practices. I will share more about who I supported with others on social media or in the Ecochallenge feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community and Connection

Plant Workshop

Come to AME-606 on April 10th for a plant sharing workshop with Josee Lanouette. Learn about how to care for common house plants and share your own tips with others. 12:30-1:30pm

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
    Sustainable Innovation
    What sustainability initiative did you invest in, and what inspired your choice? How do you feel about your role in shaping a greener future through your investment?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 4:56 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    It's so important for us to support sustainable innovations, we live in a world where our wallet speaks louder than words. What we chose and chose not to give money to is the source of great change. A initiative I found that was super cool was VeganBottle, a French initiative making water bottles out of biodegradable sugar cane. I was inspired to look into this by my ethics teacher, who loved to point out whenever we brought single use plastic bottles to class.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Empowering the Next Generation
    What impressed you most about the youth-led project you supported, and how did your involvement help?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 4:51 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    What impresses me most about youth efforts towards the environment is how dedicated they are to the cause. A lot of adults just talk about how important it is to help, but rarely ever do anything. On the other hand, youth-led efforts actually seem to go out and make a change, and are happy to do so. They treat it not at a chore but as something that needs to be done.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What product did you replace, and why was it important to you? How do you feel about making a small change for a healthier, more sustainable home?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 3:05 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    One thing that shocked me was learning that non stick cookware can be toxic. They are frequently coated with Teflon which can release toxic fumes at high temperatures. So I switched to a ceramic cooking pot to make most of my meals. It's much cuter, and I feel a bit better knowing there's less risk of dangerous fumes.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What resources did you discover, and how do you think they can benefit your community? How did sharing this information make you feel more connected to your community’s needs and opportunities?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 3:01 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    The coolest resource I found was 211 greater montreal, which is an helpline and online directory for social and community resources. By getting in contact with them they can help people with a variety of needs, like housing, legal assistance, mental health, and so on. They use a database of resources, and using the caller's location they can recommend different organisations that are the closest to where they are that can provide aid.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community and Connection
    What did you enjoy or learn from attending a local event in your community? How did participating in this event deepen your connection to your local area?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 2:54 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    My favorite part about attending local events is not just the activities, but actually feeling like I'm a part of a community. It's become so easy to shut ourselves out from the world, so going out and participating in community events is a great way to re-connect.

  • Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/30/2025 2:45 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    It's the final day of the eco challenge! Last chance to get your points in :)

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Well-Being
    What did you do to prepare for extreme weather events? Share any tips or resources you found helpful in the feed!

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/29/2025 12:30 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    To prepare for extreme weather I put together an emergency kit with batteries, first aid supplies, a flashlight, handwarmers, and an picture of a cat for emotional support. According to the government of Quebec website emergency kits should also come equipped with 3 days worth of food and 6 liters of water per person.

    • Adriana Balulescu's avatar
      Adriana Balulescu 4/29/2025 12:36 PM
      i think you need to have also special clothes made of wool that can conserve the heat
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land, Water, and Air
    What surprised you most about your water footprint, and how did it influence your perspective on water use? What changes can you make to reduce your water consumption, and how will these impact your daily routine?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/29/2025 12:27 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    To reduce my water consumption I'd like to try and run less water when doing dishes, since I've noticed that I tended to keep the water running the whole time which wastes a lot of water. I think for the most part trying to reduce my water waste won't drastically impact my daily routine.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What did you learn about how tourism impacts wildlife, and how can you make more conscious choices when planning a trip? How do you think your travel decisions can contribute to wildlife conservation and respectful interactions with nature?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/29/2025 12:25 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I learned about how tourism can be very invasive and disruptive to local ecosystems, which damages them by throwing them off balance. Furthermore, travelling itself generates a large amount of carbon emissions, almost 8% of all global emissions. I think ways we can improve this situation is by choosing to travel shorter distances for vacations, and avoid air travel, which reduces carbon emissions. I also think it's for the best to stop engaging in wildlife tourism, as the whole industry is very exploitative and harmful. You don't need to see exotic animals in their natural habitat, but they need a safe undisturbed environment in order to live. As a general rule for both tourism and everyday life, it's good to practice leave no trace, and it's not that hard to do so either (Why would you be leaving traces in the first place unless you were littering?)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife
    What project or organization did you choose to support, and why did it resonate with you? What are some ways you can continue to support wildlife conservation beyond financial contributions?

    Evelyn Newton's avatar
    Evelyn Newton 4/29/2025 12:17 PM
    • Book Lover 📚
    • 17-DAY STREAK
    I chose to donate to Oceans North, a marine conservation working to conserve ecosystems in the northern oceans. I chose them specifically because they support indigenous-led conservation efforts in the areas they operate in, which is something you rarely see with environmental organizations.