"Learning to recognize our changing world and be a part of the solutions to help with climate change for a better future."
POINTS TOTAL
35
TODAY
70
THIS WEEK
969
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
11
zero-waste meals
consumed
UP TO
25
miles
traveled by bus
UP TO
25
miles
not traveled by car
UP TO
302
pounds of CO2
have been saved
UP TO
1.0
carbon footprint
calculated
UP TO
330
gallons of water
have been saved
UP TO
220
minutes
spent learning
Monica's actions
Electricity
Research Electric Landscape Equipment
Research the benefits of trading in your gas-powered landscape equipment for electric, such as push mowers, riding lawn mowers, chain saws, and leaf blowers. Research incentives through your county or state.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Explore Other Transportation Solutions
All Transportation Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Test Drive an Electric Bike
Electric Bicycles
I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Stay on the Ground
Telepresence, High-Speed Rail
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Electricity
Learn More about Micro Wind
Micro Wind Turbines
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Electricity
Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
Ocean Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Cook With Seaweed
Seaweed Farming
I will use seaweed in a new recipe.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Buildings
Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Research the Wonders of Macroalgae / Seaweed
Macroalgae Protection and Restoration
Each day, I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about protecting and restoring macroalgae/seaweed.
COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Research Bottom-Trawling Seafloor Impacts
Seafloor Protection
Each day, I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about how bottom-trawling impacts on the seafloor.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-Waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 1 meals with zero-waste each day.
COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS
Electricity
Solar Water Consultation
Solar Hot Water
I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Electricity
Calculate My Household Carbon Footprint
I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Buildings
Install A Toilet Tank Bank
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 20 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Industry
Choose Recycled Paper
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to use paper products only made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Sinks
Plant Trees
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 1 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Buildings
Research Heat Pumps
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 15 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Smart Seafood Choices
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org and download the app to commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Industry
Learn about Carbon Offsets
I will spend 20 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Industry
Plastics Audit
Reduced Plastics
I will complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.
COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Use Public Transit
Public Transit
I will use public transit 20 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
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?
It was extra chilly today, and I was craving a nice warm coffee; I do my best not to consume single-use cups or support Starbucks, so I made one at home. I used some Organic Fairtrade de-caffeinated coffee, organic Fair Trade cacao powder, and local honey. It was so delicious. What I love the most about making things at home is that I don't have to drive anywhere, it's all organic, and you cannot really get anywhere without paying for an arm and a leg, and I don't use a single-use cup. It makes it taste much better knowing I am not harming the environment...as much.
Tidal energy seems cool and efficient; the tides move in and out daily, so it is a somewhat steady energy source. My only question is, how will this affect the animals that live in those tidal zones? Or the animals that depend on the tidal zones for protection and hiding. I feel there could be innovative solutions to these problems. This energy source compared to others is renewable because it happens everyday, it is just not a lot of energy, but still something pumping into the grid.
I learned that the Amtrack train here in Salinas goes up north to Oregon, where we like to visit a few times a year. We are going to take advantage of this and utilize it when we can. The tickets are also much cheaper than plane tickets.
I do see bamboo products in stores sometimes, but I am always wary because of the glues and other chemicals they use on them. A sustainable alternative is not purchasing anything at all. A lot of those organizers and things just end up breaking for me anyway. The less in my house, the better.
TransportationResearch and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?
I think we can all agree that we all want the money savings of switching to an electric vehicle. I hate pumping gas in my car, and it is so expensive! I have a hybrid as well, but right now, I pump 70-80 dollars per week/week and a half. I have heard that charging an electric vehicle costs 10-20 dollars. I want that!
Living out of town, I am forced to drive everywhere I go; I am mindful of my driving habits and how fast I drive. Before, I would drive fast, accelerate alot, and waste gas. And for what, I would get to school and just sit in my car until class started. I don't do that anymore; I drive at the speed limit and don't accelerate like I used to. Since doing that, my gas tank will last me 3 to 4 more days! I am saving money and helping curb my carbon footprint. But my kids do ask me why I am driving so slow; I tell them it's so I don't kill too many insects. ;)
We usually travel to Oregon to visit family a few times a year and take a plane at least once. But after learning how much planes pollute I looked into the train and I realized that the tickets for the train are much cheaper, it does take one day to get there, but we get to look at a lot of beautiful scenery on the way and not pollute so much as taking a flight. This year will be the first year we take the Amtrack from Salinas to Albany, Oregon
I can reduce my carbon footprint by planning out my trips more efficiently, reducing meat consumption, composting more, and heating my home less in the winter. Investing in a heat pump instead of burning wood as well to heat my home in the cold months.
Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
Microturbines could be installed near the beach, like in Moss Landing, where it is always so windy. After researching these microturbines, I do not understand why we don't use them more. I never see them, and honestly, where I live, it gets really windy in the evenings. I could benefit from one as well. The cost is not too bad. The Tulip turbine is around $1,500 and could provide quite a bit of power for a single-family home.
Diversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?
I am embarrassed to admit, but I love Hot showers. I like to relax at the end of the day. I wish I had a hot tub, but I know they are crazy energy consumers. For me, a motivation for installing a solar water heater would be to lessen my energy consumption when I take my hot showers.
Before reading your post, I wasn't aware that hot showers consumed more energy than cooler showers. This definitely motivates me to look into a solar water heater.
