Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Sofia Beau Prado

Asheville High School Spring 2024!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
693 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1

sustainable seafood meal

consumed
UP TO

21

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

21

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

186

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

110

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

68

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

10

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

3

trees

planted
UP TO

214

minutes

spent learning

Sofia's actions

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
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

Land Sinks

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 3 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Public Transit

Public Transit

I will use public transit 3 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Cook With Seaweed

Seaweed Farming

I will use seaweed in a new recipe.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Local Waste and Recycling Depots

To learn more about what is and is not recyclable in our area as well as how to properly dispose of hard to recycle materials to reduce my harmful impacts on the local environment AND learn how indigenous peoples and POC are more likely to be impacted by waste sites and pollution on a global scale.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 4
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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Cook With Sustainable Seafood

Improved Fisheries

Using the Seafood Watch guide, I will feature a sustainable seafood ingredient in a new recipe.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME 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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Plastics Audit

What was the hardest item to reduce using or cut out that is plastic? Did you find a way to do it?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/28/2024 7:32 PM

The hardest item for me to reduce was one of our freezer packs because it contains plastic on the outside but has liquid inside. I however did find a way to do it. What I did was cut it open, squeeze out the liquid into the trash then I cleaned out the inside of the ice pack. Finally, I recycled it with plastic bags.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/24/2024 4:31 PM

I think that our city can make climate action plans equitable and socially just by using sustainable renewable energy sources, make green areas without removing active housing, reduce the amount of homes nearby facilities releasing air pollution, and finally, reduce the amount of air pollution being released in general.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/22/2024 5:23 AM

The process was planning out how much time it would take to drive with a family of 5 from here to Florida. We had to play in all the factors such as stopping for the restroom, meals, gas, etc. However, it all works out in the end and to avoid more air travel in the future, I can try to drive, take trains, or take the bus.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/17/2024 10:46 AM

Some of the barriers that exist to women’s equal participation and representation on a global scale and communities is the accessibility to resources, affordability, and religion. The barrier of accessibility to resources include what is around them such as hospitals, schools, work, food, and more and is something women face. Next, if women can’t afford certain things they can’t get the help they need with most of the things that I mentioned above. Lastly, if it is in their family’s religion or culture to not discuss about their body, rights, and to allow them to marry early then this plays a big part in why women don’t have full equal rights.
These barriers exist because of how the world has been going for years such as stereotypes that women should stay in the house to cook plus take care of children, not work, and aren’t as smart as men. These also exist because of cultural practices for example; marrying early, having children early, not explaining women’s rights and their bodies. I think that if we spread the word, make women’s rights known, and have hospitals more accessible we can make a difference for sure.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/15/2024 11:58 AM

I learned that by using family planning, it can help women prepare for the right time to have a child and precautions for an unplanned pregnancy. This results in a healthier baby, less medical problems, and less financial problems. The needs for people in different places differ because it depends on their finances, what they have offered in their area, and the accommodations in their environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/14/2024 9:56 AM

I think geothermal energy is reliable and efficient because it can replace conventional electricity-generating materials such as coal and oil. However, it won’t be as sustainable for all parts of the world because some aren’t close enough to magma underground to work as efficiently. If public investment will play a crucial role in my area I would invest.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More about Micro Wind

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?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/13/2024 9:56 AM

Microturbines should be placed at our local farm sites where there is large empty space and at our local landfills. Places where we have the most wind and extra space here in Asheville.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Learn More about Biomass

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!

Sofia Beau Prado 5/09/2024 9:54 AM

learned that by converting biomass into fuels and electricity, we can make various technologies such as LED lights, electric cars, and heat pumps. What surprised me was that just by using biomass we can reduce air pollution, better energy services, solutions to health problems, reduce climate change, etc.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Plant Trees

How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/08/2024 8:52 AM

Planting trees is good for your mental and spiritual health because it makes you feel better about yourself knowing you helped the earth and environment. It is also good for your physical health because it is not as easy to plant a baby tree, you have to dig, plant, and look after it a bit so it works your body.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Cook With Seaweed

What recipe did you make and how did it turn out? Will you cook with seaweed again?

Sofia Beau Prado 5/07/2024 7:34 AM

The meal I made was sushi and it turned out very good. It was easier than I thought to make and I hope to make it again. I will definitely cook with seaweed again if I can find good recipes.

Read More