Yashika Velayutham

Community Team

"Nurture Nature, Sustain the Future"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
136 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

20

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated
UP TO

60

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning

Yashika's actions

Health and Well-Being

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 260 minutes of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Calculate My Carbon Impact

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Choose Eco-Friendly Wood and Paper Products

Trees provide food and habitat for local wildlife species, shade our streets and homes, and help keep our air and water clean by capturing pollutants. I will learn about certification labels and buy wood and paper products certified as sustainable or recycled to protect forests and reduce environmental harm.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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

Land, Water, and Air

Produce No Waste for a 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Learn to Choose Forest-Friendly Foods

Our food choices can help protect forests and wildlife. I will spend 60 minutes learning how to choose foods that are grown in ways that protect forests, such as avoiding products linked to deforestation and seeking certified sustainable options like shade-grown coffee or palm oil-free products.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Learn About Water Justice

Access to clean water is a basic right, yet not everyone has it. I will spend 60 minutes learning about water justice issues and who is affected.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land, Water, and Air

Take Shorter Showers

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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?

Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 9:05 AM
Earth Month Eco challenge efforts! It shows a person actively practicing conservation by sorting recyclables, using a reusable shopping bag, turning off lights to save energy, and planting trees. I hope it captures the positive, sustainable impact you're making this month!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What water justice issues did you learn about, and who is most affected in your community? How can you contribute to creating equitable access to clean water in your area?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:57 AM
Water Justice Issues Learned: I learned about the lack of clean water access in marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods. Issues like water contamination, lack of infrastructure, and unequal distribution of resources are significant concerns.
Most Affected in My Community: Vulnerable groups, such as low-income families, migrant workers, and rural populations, are often the most affected by water scarcity and pollution.

Contributing to Equitable Access: I can support local water conservation efforts, advocate for better water management policies, participate in community clean-up programs, and donate to organizations working on water access projects. These efforts can help create more equitable access to clean water for everyone in the community.

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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?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:56 AM
Surprising Discovery About My Water Footprint: I was shocked by how much hidden water is used in food production, especially for meat and dairy. I also didn’t realize how much water daily activities like long showers and laundry consume.
Impact on My Perspective: This made me more mindful of my indirect water usage and the importance of conserving water beyond just turning off the tap.

Changes to Reduce Water Consumption: I will take shorter showers, wash clothes in full loads, eat less water-intensive foods, and collect rainwater for plants. These changes will make my routine more sustainable without major sacrifices.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What did you discover during your energy audit that you weren’t aware of before? What steps will you take to reduce energy use, and how will they benefit both the environment and your household?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:55 AM
Energy Audit Discoveries: I realized that certain appliances, like my laptop charger and TV, consume energy even when not in use. I also noticed that inefficient lighting and old appliances increase my electricity consumption.
Steps to Reduce Energy Use: I will switch to LED bulbs, unplug devices when not in use, use energy-efficient appliances, and make better use of natural light.

Benefits: These steps will lower electricity bills, reduce my carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

Where in your life do you emit the most carbon? What change are you willing to make in your daily life to reduce this output?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:55 AM
Biggest Carbon Emissions in My Life: My main sources of carbon emissions come from daily commuting, electricity use, and consumption of packaged goods.
Changes to Reduce Carbon Footprint: I am willing to use public transportation or carpool more often, reduce electricity consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, and minimize single-use plastics by choosing sustainable products. These changes will help lower my environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet.

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- Jeena Dennison 4/01/2025 9:27 AM
  
  Exercise Lover 🤸
  
  16-DAY STREAK
  Being aware of how our lifestyle impacts the environment is the first step to making a change ..kudos to you for taking this momentous step
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

How did shortening your showers affect your awareness of water conservation? What other water-saving practices can you adopt in your daily routine?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:54 AM
Awareness from Shorter Showers: Shortening my showers made me realize how much water I use daily and how small changes can add up to significant savings. It also made me more conscious of unnecessary water waste in other areas of my life.
Other Water-Saving Practices: I can turn off the tap while brushing my teeth, use a bucket instead of a hose for washing my vehicle, fix leaks promptly, and reuse greywater for plants. These habits help conserve water and reduce my environmental footprint.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What did you learn about forest-friendly foods? What sustainable food choices will you commit to making, and why are they important to you?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:54 AM
Lessons About Forest-Friendly Foods: I learned that forest-friendly foods, like shade-grown coffee, sustainably harvested nuts, and fruits from agroforestry systems, help protect biodiversity and reduce deforestation.
Sustainable Food Commitments: I will choose products with RSPO-certified palm oil, organic and locally sourced produce, and shade-grown coffee and cocoa to support sustainable farming. These choices matter to me because they help preserve forests, protect wildlife, and reduce my environmental impact.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What was hard about having a Zero Waste Day? What did you learn about yourself and your habits?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:53 AM
Challenges of a Zero Waste Day: Avoiding plastic packaging, finding sustainable alternatives, and planning meals without generating waste were difficult. It also required extra effort to refuse single-use items in daily routines.
Lessons Learned: I became more aware of how much waste I produce daily and realized the importance of mindful consumption. I also learned that small changes, like carrying a reusable bag and water bottle, can make a big difference.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land, Water, and Air

What benefits do forests offer you personally? What certifications or labels will you look for when purchasing wood and paper products, and why?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:53 AM
Personal Benefits of Forests: Forests provide fresh air, a peaceful escape from city life, and a connection to nature that helps reduce stress. They also support biodiversity and improve overall well-being.
Certifications for Wood and Paper Products: I would look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) to ensure the products come from sustainably managed forests. These certifications help protect ecosystems and promote responsible forestry practices.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Well-Being

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What changes did you make to improve your sleep, and how did they affect your day?
Yashika Velayutham 4/01/2025 8:53 AM
I currently get around 5-6 hours of sleep. I would like to shift to a consistent 7-8 hours.
To improve my sleep, I reduced screen time before bed and set a fixed bedtime.

These changes helped me feel more refreshed in the morning and improved my focus during the day.

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