Earth Month Ecochallenge 2022: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2022

Samantha Smith

World Centric

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
576 Total

Participant Impact

up to

12

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
up to

20

minutes

spent learning

Samantha's Actions

Economy & Communities

Online Energy Audit

SDG #7 Energy

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

Climate & Ecosystems

Calculate Your Carbon Impact

SDG #13 Climate

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.

Completed
One-Time Action

Climate & Ecosystems

Create & Share A Love Letter, Poem, Song or Picture

SDG #13, 14 & 15

I will express my love and gratitude for our planet by writing a love letter, poem, song or taking a picture. I will share it with others on my social media channels, in person, or as an Earth Month Ecochallenge feed reflection.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Work-Life Balance

SDG #8 Work & Economy

During the workday, I will schedule time for daily rest during work days to practice work-life balance.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Education & Livelihood

Share Your Eco Habits

SDG #11 Communities

Through my social media channels, in person, or as an Earth Month Ecochallenge feed reflection, I will share with others an environmentally friendly habit I have cultivated.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Support Indigenous & First Nations Communities

SDG #10 Reduced Inequalities

I will spend 5 learning about the past and present indigenous communities in my regions and what I can do to be supportive.

Completed
One-Time Action

Climate & Ecosystems

Learn About Invasive Species

SDG #14 & 15

I will spend 5 minutes learning about invasive species and ways to reduce their impacts.

Completed
One-Time Action

Economy & Communities

Find out where your energy comes from

SDG #7 Energy

I will spend 5 minutes learning about where my energy comes from.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

Basic Needs & Security

Get To Know Your Watershed

SDG #6 Water & Sanitation

I will spend 5 minutes learning about my watershed and the particular water issues my region faces.

Completed
One-Time Action

Basic Needs & Security

Practice A Sharing Economy

SDG #1 No Poverty

Each day, I will engage in a sharing economy among my family, friends, and neighbors.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG #2 Zero Hunger

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Know Your Produce

SDG #2 Zero Hunger

I will visit ewg.org to learn about and use their Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen produce lists.

Completed
One-Time Action

Feed

Reflection Question
Health & Equity Support Indigenous & First Nations Communities

Why is it important to honor native and indigenous peoples and cultures? What have you learned that is important to you? If you identify with or are a member of an indigenous group, how does your community practice sustainability?

Samantha Smith 4/25/2022 10:23 AM

It's important to honor native peoples since they are the original and best stewards of the land. We need to help them retain their knowledge and practices so that we can educate ourselves and heal the earth. I learned about the Suscol Intertribal Council in Napa and their efforts to restore their heritage in the area. I also put their annual Pow Wow on my calendar and hope to attend to support their efforts.

Read More
Reflection Question
Basic Needs & Security Get To Know Your Watershed

What watershed do you live in presently? What is something interesting or unique about your watershed?

Samantha Smith 4/21/2022 10:24 AM

I live in Napa watershed and knew we had a local reservoir, Lake Hennessey, but was surprised to read that we also get water from the State Water Project. I have been involved with the Sierra Club who is opposing a new pipeline that aims to take more water out of the fragile Delta for Southern California. I watched a documentary on this recently and it is mostly industrial farms that want the water to grow crops that we send overseas like almonds and pistachios. It's very maddening as I don't think the general public knows this and assumes the water is for residential growth, which it is not. Residents have actually been doing a great job conserving yet they are going to foot the bill for big ag.

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Reflection Question
Climate & Ecosystems Learn About Invasive Species

What is one invasive species in your region and how does it impact your region's ecosystem?

Samantha Smith 4/19/2022 8:13 AM

French Broom is a very invasive shrub in our area. I spent a volunteer day recently pulling it out of a local open space nearby. It was introduced as an ornamental plant and for erosion control and is very hardy and fast growing. Unfortunately it can quickly grow and crowd out other species and is also a fire hazard as it grows in forests under trees and can feed fires.

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Reflection Question
Climate & Ecosystems Create & Share A Love Letter, Poem, Song or Picture

Why is art an important way for you to express sustainability values?

Samantha Smith 4/19/2022 7:48 AM

I love photos and enjoy sharing them with others. I want to inspire people to love the outdoors and protect them for future generations. I hope that I'm doing that.

Read More
Reflection Question
Basic Needs & Security Know Your Produce

What surprised you about the two produce lists? How will you use these lists for your grocery shopping? Have you used these lists before?

Samantha Smith 4/08/2022 2:32 PM

This list is a bit scary and overwhelming for me. These are a lot of the foods I eat although I do try to buy organic most of the time. I shop for veggies at the Farmer's Market a lot but don't always choose organic because it's so much more expensive. I'm wondering whether the items tested come from mostly large commercial farms and not the small ones that sell at the markets directly.

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Reflection Question
Education & Livelihood Share Your Eco Habits

How do you create new sustainability-related habits or change bad habits?

Samantha Smith 4/07/2022 3:13 PM

These days I have to work hard to get out of my routine, but it's important for my mental and physical health to do it. Yesterday I planned a hike after work to a park I've never visited and shared pictures on social media. I hope it inspires others to get outside and advocate for open spaces for all.

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Reflection Question
Climate & Ecosystems Calculate Your Carbon Impact

What is one way you will reduce your carbon foorprint? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your carbon footprint?

Samantha Smith 4/06/2022 8:48 AM

With the pandemic my travel definitely went down and I'm hoping to keep it that way. It's tough though since I do love to travel and explore. I'm working on finding ways to travel locally instead of flying. I have traveled a lot in my lifetime and I am trying to approach it from the point of view that I have done my share and now it's time to let young people travel. I wish more people my age and older would adopt this rule as we need to reduce overall airplane travel which is very energy intensive.

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Reflection Question
Education & Livelihood Work-Life Balance

How does practicing a work-life balance create a more sustainable life for you? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?

Samantha Smith 4/05/2022 1:48 PM

Working from home I am able to take quick breaks to do things like laundry or walking the dog which make the day much more productive and enjoyable. Of course staying at home means no commute time which is more sustainable not to mention being able to cook for myself rather than eat out.

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Reflection Question
Basic Needs & Security Reduce Animal Product Consumption

What was the tastiest meatless or vegan meal you ever had or had recently? Did you make it? Can you share a recipe?

Samantha Smith 4/05/2022 1:43 PM

I love this lentil dahl that I make regularly now, it's got great spice and consistency. Here's the recipe: https://biancazapatka.com/en/red-lentil-dahl/

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- Janae Lloyd 4/06/2022 7:59 AM
  
  That looks super good. Thanks for sharing Sam!
  
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Reflection Question
Basic Needs & Security Practice A Sharing Economy

What benefits does the sharing economy offer to you and others? If you are a little shy to try, what could be a first step for you?

Samantha Smith 4/01/2022 12:02 PM

This is something we seem to have lost as a culture. It reminds me of the old idea of borrowing a cup of sugar, but we don't really do that anymore. We ask neighbors and I've used Next Door to borrow items and people are always so happy to oblige. It also helps us meet and get to know neighbors.

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- Janae Lloyd 4/06/2022 8:00 AM
  
  This is a small things but I've really appreciated swapping books with Sarah!
  
  Read More

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