Matt Rutlin

Working together to clean up public spaces helps the environment and builds community. I will participate in 1 community cleanup efforts in my neighborhood or local area.

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 4 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

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.

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

Learning by doing empowers youth. I will conduct an environmental audit — such as a home energy or waste audit — alongside a young person to teach them practical sustainability skills and see what I learn from them as well.

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 30 minutes of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

Schools play a crucial role in youth development and be hubs for sustainability. I will donate funds, time, or supplies to 1 local schools to support environmental education, field trips, sustainability projects, and youth empowerment. I will share how I supported schools on the feed.

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.

Reducing energy use helps protect the air and climate. I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy and reduce pollution.

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

Bees and other pollinators are vital to ecosystems and agriculture. I will spending 10 minutes learning about local pollinators and why they are so important.

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.

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 10 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

Growing plants can be rewarding and can create habitats big and small for wildlife. And, we can grow things almost anywhere! I will spend 10 minutes researching options for growing plants either inside or outside.

Get involved! Join your local Green Team to connect and work on local sustainability initiatives. Or, participate in one of the many Earth Month activities they've organized.

Kick off your meetings with a "Sustainability Moment" to keep environmental awareness top of mind. Even better, develop new "Sustainability Moments" tailored to your specific location and work, making the connection between sustainability and your daily activities even stronger!

Learn about our new Sustainability Pathways initiative and implement 1 action under each of the pillars from the most appropriate persona.

Learn about sustainability by taking two Green Pill modules on Emerson Learn. Choose the topics that appeal to you most!

Become a Sustainability Aficionado or invite one of your colleagues to join if you're already tuned into the program. 

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.

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, then share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the feed.

Energy-efficient lighting is a bright idea. I will replace 2 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

Leave No Trace means enjoying nature responsibly by minimizing our impact and leaving the environment as we found it, or better. I will spend 10 minutes learning about the seven core principles to minimize my impact while enjoying the outdoors.

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.

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.