Jordan Benabou
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 211 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO14lightbulbsreplaced
-
UP TO45minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO55minutesspent learning
Jordan's actions
Transportation
SiA Homework for Sept 4 - PRACTICE POST
Write an Ecochallenge POST to our team, briefly stating how you currently commute to Vanier. In Quebec, because we have a lot of hydro electric power, one of the main source of carbon emissions is from transportation. What commuting options do you have that would be healthier for you and the planet? Will you be considering any changes for this semester? If so, select or create an EcoChallenge action. If not, explain what your particular challenges are and what you could do to help other people in your situation (e.g. organise car sharing, propose a bus shuttle, etc.)
Industry
Learn about Carbon Offsets
I will spend 35 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.
Transportation
Purchase a Carbon Offset
Efficient Aviation
If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.
Transportation
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 55 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
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.
Industry
Research Cement Alternatives
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Electricity
Choose LED Bulbs
LED Lighting
I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 2
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Composting
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 25 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Electricity
Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries
Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids
I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.
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.
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).
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 45 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
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?
-
Jordan Benabou 11/13/2024 3:19 PMFinal EcoChallenge Post:
With the Eco-Challenge coming to an end, I’ve been thinking back on the whole experience. Overall, I didn’t find the challenges too hard or overwhelming. I picked ones that felt manageable in my daily routine, knowing that if they were too disruptive, I might struggle to stick with them. By choosing actions that fit well into my life, I could stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. I’d like to think that my efforts made a difference. When you first start adopting sustainable habits, it can feel like one person’s impact is small. But when you look at it as part of a larger effort, every little action matters. In the bigger picture, I feel like my actions, combined with those of others, help create positive change. I did these challenges on my own without including friends or family. I think doing it alone worked well for me, but I could see how it might have been more fun and motivating if others were involved. Having a shared goal could make it feel like a team effort, inspiring everyone to stick with it together. Will I keep up these habits? That’s a tough question. I’d like to say yes, but realistically, I might get lazy and will slowly forget about them. These small changes are worthwhile but require effort, and it’s easy to feel tempted by the simpler choice of not doing them. So honestly, I’m not sure I’ll continue most of these actions, but I will try my very best to keep doing these sustainable actions. Imagining a world without fossil fuels is interesting. On the positive side, we’d likely have cleaner air, healthier cities, and a more stable climate. But it would also bring big challenges since we rely on fossil fuels for so much. Right now, renewable options aren’t quite as efficient, and things like electric grids can be unreliable during extreme weather, (since we live in a colder climate during the winters). To move away from fossil fuels, we’ll need better renewable technology, stronger energy storage, and resilient infrastructure. Shifting to a fossil-fuel-free world won’t happen overnight, but with careful planning and progress, I think it’s a change we can achieve, with given and appropriate time. -
Jordan Benabou 11/11/2024 5:52 PMWeek 13 Sustainability:
After spending 45 minutes this week researching hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), I’m starting to realize how switching to one could be a smart and sustainable choice for both the planet and my daily life. Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so the environmental benefits of hybrids and EVs make a lot of sense they cut down on fossil fuel use and have a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional cars, even when you consider battery production. As EVs become more affordable and practical, I can actually picture myself making the switch down the road. Not only would this reduce my own carbon footprint, but it could also mean cleaner air, lower fuel costs, and fewer maintenance hassles no oil changes sounds pretty great as you need to do them often and could be costly. Project Drawdown’s research even shows how those savings can add up over time. With more models and better infrastructure on the way, going electric feels like a realistic step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. -
Jordan Benabou 11/06/2024 7:12 PMWeek 12 Sustainability:
This week, I explored sustainable alternatives to traditional cement, focusing on solutions that lower concrete’s substantial carbon footprint. Cement production is a significant source of CO2 emissions, so finding greener options is essential. Through EcoChallenge resources like ScienceDirect, and Project Drawdown. I discovered some promising approaches. One involves using industrial byproducts like fly ash or slag to replace some cement, reducing emissions and even enhancing concrete's durability. Another method captures CO2 during production and embeds it into the cement itself, potentially turning it into a carbon sink which refers to absorbing more carbon than it releases into the atmosphere. Challenges remain, as construction standards favour traditional cement, and transitioning would require regulatory and testing changes. Additionally, these alternative materials aren't consistently available everywhere, which complicates global adoption. Nonetheless, these low carbon options offer a hopeful step toward more sustainable building practices. -
Jordan Benabou 10/28/2024 9:27 AMWeek 11 Sustainability:
Recently, I began researching composting and its potential to promote sustainability in our daily lives. Composting is a natural way to recycle food scraps and yard waste, transforming them into fertile soil for plants, reducing landfill waste, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Composting, as detailed in this PBS infographic, is simple and requires only a few basic materials. Composting is highly relevant to sustainability because it addresses a variety of environmental issues. Composting, according to Project Drawdown, is an important solution for lowering methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. Landfills are major methane sources due to organic waste decomposition, but composting these materials can significantly reduce emissions. Composting also improves soil health, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and increases soil water retention, making it a long-term practice with numerous benefits for ecosystems and agriculture. By incorporating composting into my daily routine, I'm becoming more aware of the waste I produce and helping to create a healthier environment. I intend to collect kitchen scraps in a designated bin and compost them at home. This not only reduces my own waste footprint, but it also produces nutrient-rich fertilizer for garden plants, completing a small, sustainable cycle at home. We can significantly improve environmental health by making small, long-term changes like these. -
Jordan Benabou 10/23/2024 9:16 AMThanksgiving EcoChallenge Post:
After watching the four videos, I gained a deeper understanding of environmental issues like ecological footprint, carbon footprint, degrowth, and economic inequality. Each video highlights how overconsumption, inequality, and the constant drive for economic growth contribute to the environmental challenges we face today. While capitalism isn’t directly blamed, the focus on endless growth and consumption clearly plays a role in the problem. One concept that really stood out was degrowth. It suggests that instead of constantly trying to expand economies, we should focus more on well-being, sustainability, and reducing our consumption. This could lower stress and reduce the need for constant overwork, allowing us to focus on more important aspects of life, like health, education, and protecting the environment. As for things I’m thankful for that don’t harm the environment, cycling around my neighborhood is something that comes to mind. It’s a clean, healthy way to get around without using gas or generating pollution. It also gives me time to enjoy the outdoors without leaving any trace behind. Another example is shopping at local farmers’ markets. By buying local produce, I support smaller-scale, sustainable farming, and reduce the environmental impact of long-distance transportation and packaging. On a larger scale, Quebec’s hydroelectric power is something we can be thankful for. It provides a clean energy source that is far less harmful than fossil fuels and keeps our electricity costs low. This Thanksgiving, I’m reminded that real progress isn’t just about economic growth and consumption, but about finding ways to live sustainably and prioritize well-being—for both people and the planet. -
Jordan Benabou 10/23/2024 9:02 AMWeek 9 Sustainability Action:
In recent weeks, I’ve been steadily integrating elements of the 5 R's into my daily life which is (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.) To start, I reviewed my daily habits to identify areas where I could make more sustainable choices. For refusal, I realized I was often accepting receipts from stores, even when I didn’t need them. Now, I always opt for digital receipts instead of printed ones. Another change I made was saying no to unnecessary packaging when I buy small items that don’t require a bag or box. For reduction, one of my biggest wastes was single-use plastic water bottles. I used to bring one to school every day, but now I use a multi-use water bottle that holds more water and is much more practical. I also used to use a lot of disposable napkins, but I’ve switched to carrying a cloth which I can wash and then be able to use them again. Recycling is something I still do regularly every week. Besides the usual cans and bottles, I also recycle packaging materials from online orders and old magazines or newspapers. While I don’t often repurpose items, I make an effort to donate things I no longer need, like clothes, books, and electronics, to charities or people who could use them, which i try to do every month to my local charity called Mada. Each of these actions may seem small on their own, but together, they contribute to my overall goal of living more sustainably and reducing unnecessary waste. Little by little, I’m making progress toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle. -
Jordan Benabou 10/09/2024 10:43 AMWeek 8 Sustainability:
I recently replaced about 15 of the lightbulbs in my home with LED bulbs, and it's already proven to be a wise decision. While LEDs may cost slightly more upfront than traditional incandescent bulbs, the long-term savings more than compensate. Because of their energy efficiency, switching to LEDs is expected to save me approximately $14 per year on my energy bill. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, resulting in fewer replacements and lower energy consumption. LEDs provide significant environmental benefits. They consume less electricity, reducing demand for power plants and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Their longer lifespan means fewer bulbs in landfills, which reduces waste. Unlike CFLs, LEDs contain no mercury. Overall, switching to LEDs saves money and promotes a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
-
Jordan Benabou 10/02/2024 10:27 AMA Just Transition Document (Week 7):
Mass demonstrations, such as climate marches, are effective tools for demanding immediate and equitable climate action. They bring people together, sending a clear message that addressing climate change requires addressing social justice. A just transition to a green economy entails prioritizing the needs of those most impacted by climate change and ensuring that the benefits and costs are fairly distributed. When people march, they emphasize the importance of bold, equitable policies, as in the slogan we see a lot "Climate Justice = Social Justice." This serves as a reminder that the fight for climate justice is also a fight for equality in this world. -
Jordan Benabou 9/25/2024 8:08 AMWeek 6 Response:
I first learned about climate change when I was about ten years old, while watching the news with my family. There was a story about polar ice caps melting and polar bears losing their habitat. At the time, it felt distant and difficult to comprehend, as if it were happening far away. However, as I grew older, I began to notice the effects, like extreme weather, wildfires, and floods. It became clear that climate change was not just a problem for the future; it was happening right now. That realization has stuck with me, and it motivates me to do what I can, because even small actions can help slow the damage we are witnessing.
That is why, for my semester project, we want to improve the preservation of fresh water in Quebec, which will improve consumption for future generations and thus help in the fight against climate change. -
Jordan Benabou 9/18/2024 7:51 AMWeek 5 Response:
This week, I learned about carbon offsets and how they can help us tackle climate change. Essentially, carbon offsets let us to balance out the carbon emissions you produce whether that’s from driving, flying, or even daily electricity use by funding projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases elsewhere. These projects can include things like reforestation, which absorbs carbon dioxide, or renewable energy projects, like wind farms, that prevent emissions. For example, if you take a flight that emits a ton of carbon dioxide, you can purchase a carbon offset that goes towards a project capturing or reducing that same amount of carbon dioxide. It’s like paying to undo the damage your flight did to the environment. The key, though, is to make sure the offsets you’re buying are from reliable, high-quality projects. Not all offsets are created equal some may not deliver the promised environmental benefits. That’s why it's important to look for projects certified by standards like the "Verified Carbon Standard". These certifications ensure that the carbon reductions are real, measurable, permanent, and not a fake like some companies do. If you want to take action, a good starting point is to calculate your carbon footprint using an online tool. Once you know your emissions, you can buy offsets from certified projects. For example, Tradewater focuses on capturing powerful greenhouse gases like methane, which can be much more harmful than carbon dioxide if left unchecked websites like Offset Guide also help you find trustworthy projects, ensuring your contributions make a real impact.