

Sam Boyce
"I am attempting the Ecochallenge because I do want to do more to help the planet than I already do, and this site is a good way to learn what I need to be better on and what more I could learn about. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 637 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO112milesnot traveled by car
-
UP TO112milestraveled by carpool
-
UP TO52pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO1.0carbon footprintcalculated
-
UP TO270gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO73minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO141minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO145minutesspent learning
Sam's actions
Electricity
Learn More about Biomass
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
Industry
Join a Recycling Program
Recycling
I will set up or join a recycling program at my workplace or school.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Share Your Story
Share Your Aha Moment
Fill out this form and share your Ecochallenge story with us!
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Tend A Garden
Conservation Agriculture
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Transportation
Try Carpooling
Carpooling
I will commute by carpool 10 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
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 15 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Electricity
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
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.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Land Sinks
Research Peatlands
Peatland Protection and Rewetting
I will spend 17 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Clean Plate Club
After every meal finish everything that you put on your plate that is edible.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will spend 15 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Buildings
Fix Leaky Faucets
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.
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.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 11 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 16 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Participant Feed
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportationReducing (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?
-
REFLECTION QUESTION
-
Sam Boyce 6/06/2025 10:56 AMIt was really interesting researching how diet can impact the Earth, and I am glad I got the chance to.-
Cavanaugh Brett 6/12/2025 12:26 AMThat's awesome to hear! It's eye-opening to realize how our food choices can affect the planet—great job diving into such an important topic solar smash!
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTION
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand SinksHow is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
Sam Boyce 6/06/2025 7:13 AMI already avoid foods that contain palm oil because I knew about its contributions to deforestation, and I don't drink coffee, so I don't have to worry about causing a negative impact with those items. I get a lot of eggs directly from farms, so I don't have to worry about that either, but I can look more into where I am buying my chocolate and milk, to limit my impacts through those products. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land UseHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportationWhat have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand SinksHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Sam Boyce 6/06/2025 7:00 AMJust being in nature, surrounded by the smell of dirt and the sounds of birds, can have a very calming effect on me. This effect helps me to take a breath and observe my surroundings wherever I am and just enjoy what I am doing at that moment.-
Gianna Marko 6/17/2025 4:15 PMI agree with you, Sam! The smell of damp earth and plants in the sunshine is so calming and always gives me a sense of freedom and focus. Spending time in nature can make a big difference!
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustryHow can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land UseProducing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?
Sam Boyce 6/06/2025 6:56 AMI don't know which category this falls under, but I didn't like that the food I didn't consume would go straight to a landfill where it would not properly decompose. With composting, I am giving food that I couldn't use a new lifecycle as compost, that can then help grow more food.