Serena Amato

SiA 2024

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
151 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

30

minutes

being mindful

Serena's actions

Share Your Story

SiA Homework for Sept 11 - Intro Post

Please write a short post to introduce yourself to the class. Mention some of your interests and what program you are in. If you have some ideas for your sustainability project this semester, please share - you might find a collaborator! Inspire others with the EcoChallenge actions that you are interested in trying out. Include a photo of yourself if you like.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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SiA Homework for Sept 4 - PRACTICE POST

On Sept 4, we will have 3 guests come talk to us about sustainability initiatives at Vanier. In preparation, please read over VANIER'S 5-YEAR SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 2018-2023 and then write an EcoChallenge post that includes the following: - What do you think about the plan? Is it ambitious enough? Is there anything missing or superfluous? From your own observation and experience, how well is Vanier doing? List some questions that you would like to ask our speakers regarding Sustainability at Vanier? - Identify at least 3 initiatives that you are potentially interested in contributing to this semester and explain why. (Note there is a column labelled student involvement.) For more detailed information, you can also consult the 2020 VANIER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT in the links.

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Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

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DAILY ACTIONS

Share Your Story

READ Quebec's principles for a just transition AND/OR PARTICIPATE in the Sept 27 Climate March

For the week of Sept 25 to Oct 2, please read the documents attached AND IF YOU CAN, please attend the Sept 27 Climate March. Many people and organisations feel that the government is dragging its feet on the important changes required to meet our climate commitments. For your post, reflect on the value of mass demonstrations. Include a photo of a protest banner or slogan that you find effective (if you can't attend the event then find a photo on the web from other climate marches).

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

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DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

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DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

Reduced Food Waste

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Industry

Practice the 5 Rs

Recycling

I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Land Sinks Buy Bamboo

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

Serena Amato 9/24/2024 8:03 AM

Reflection Question
No, bamboo products are not common in my city and they were difficult to find. I searched at my local pharmacy and found a small section of bamboo products. I bought a bamboo toothbrush and floss, and bamboo cereal bowls.

Read More
- Richard Klopp 9/24/2024 11:09 AM
  
  Did you do some reading on why bamboo is good material? It is not a local material, which means bamboo products need to be shipped from countries like China. So if we are choosing between plastic and bamboo from China, we are probably better with bamboo. But are there other alternatives in Canada? Explore a little deeper.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Serena Amato 9/17/2024 9:27 PM

Sept 17 Homework
I noticed how good I physically felt after my walks to the train station. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people also walked to the train station. I enjoyed the scenery and I enjoyed listening to my music while walking. To make these walks more enjoyable the city could plant more trees for shade because the sun is too hot.

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Serena Amato 9/17/2024 8:46 PM

Sept 11 Homework
The 5 R's: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. It was difficult trying to complete all of the 5 R's but I accomplished it. For example the biggest challenge for me was to refuse. For example, I ordered food to eat at the restaurant but I was given a plastic fork. I politely refused the fork and took the food to go instead. Everything else was relatively easy, for reduce, I cleaned out my closet and gave some clothes to my cousin. Third, I reuse my reusable water-bottle everyday to reduce plastic water-bottles. Fourth, I recycled any plastic bags in my closet from clothing stores that I hadn't thrown away yet. Lastly, i compost. This challenge is very doable if you just take the time to stop and think

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Serena Amato 9/17/2024 7:37 PM

Intro Post
Hi, my name is Serena Amato and I am in the Child Studies program at Vanier. This is my 5th semester, and my goal for the future is to become an elementary school teacher. I was thinking of doing my project on different food systems/ reducing our intake on meats? not sure yet.

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Serena Amato 9/03/2024 8:55 PM

Vanier sustainability action plan:
The plan is informative and thoroughly thought through. It discusses the main goals and everything needed to execute the plan and make it happen. I believe Vanier is doing an alright job at maintaining the action. I noticed that most classrooms do not have garbage bins anymore to reduce waste. The trash bin is located in the hallway, this change helps reduce the amount of garbage and waste in our school. Three initiatives that I am interested in doing this semester is, volunteering in cleaning activities, spreading awareness, and pay better attention to what I buy.

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Serena Amato 9/03/2024 7:38 PM

My commute to Vanier:
I am from the South Shore, more specifically from St-Constant. My daily commute is quite simple, first I drive to the St. Cathrine train station, I board the train and get off at the Vendôme metro station. From Vendôme, I take the metro all the way down the orange line to Cote-Vertu. Then, I walk from the Cote-Vertu metro station to Vanier. In total, it takes me approximately 45-50 minutes to get to school. This semester, instead of taking my car to get to the train station I could walk or bike there. The walk/biking will take me 30 minutes from where I live. I have no other option but to take the train and metro to school.

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- Richard Klopp 9/03/2024 8:09 PM
  
  Great initiative and daily exercise at the same time.
  
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