Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Mark Brian Fanilag

SiA 2024

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
301 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

159

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

32

minutes

spent learning

Mark Brian'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

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.)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Go Paperless

Recycled Paper

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

Refrigerant Management

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 20 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

UNCOMPLETED
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?

Mark Brian Fanilag 11/12/2024 9:06 PM

Final Eco-Challenge Post
Looking back on my Eco-Challenge experience, I found it sometimes challenging. I learned a lot about the impact of simple actions, like going paperless or choosing to walk more often. These small changes add up and do make a difference, especially when they become part of my routine.
I didn’t actively involve others, but I think it would’ve been motivating. If family or friends joined, we could have encouraged each other. I’ll definitely keep some of these habits going, like reducing waste and walking more, since they feel manageable and worthwhile.
Imagining a world without fossil fuels is both exciting and daunting. Cleaner air, fewer health issues, and more renewable energy jobs would be huge positives. But the transition might be tough, especially for areas dependent on traditional energy. In the end, though, moving to a greener future seems worth it for a healthier planet.

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 11/06/2024 9:08 AM

Week 12: Walking Daily
Since starting this challenge, I’ve switched from taking the bus to walking to the metro about 3-4 times a week. I’ve noticed how things like wide sidewalks and trees make a big difference, while traffic and uneven paths can make it harder. It’s been a nice way to stay active and feel more connected to my neighborhood!

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 10/31/2024 5:35 PM

Week 11: Wave and tidal Energy
I spent some time learning about wave and tidal energy and how they can generate clean power from the ocean. Wave energy converters turn ocean wave motion into electricity, while tidal systems use the natural rise and fall of tides to power turbines. Though it's not yet widely used, this form of energy has a ton of potential and is one of the most predictable renewable sources out there.
There are a few places already using it, like France and South Korea, but it’s still pretty early days. It’ll take more research and investment, but it’s exciting to think of the ocean’s potential for helping us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 10/22/2024 10:11 PM

Thanksgiving
After watching the videos, I learned that we need to reduce our impact on the planet. Our carbon and ecological footprints show how our daily choices can harm the environment. Richard Wilkinson also talks about how inequality affects society, and it’s clear that changing our habits can lead to a healthier planet for everyone.
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for things that don’t hurt the environment. I appreciate fresh air, clean water, and enjoying homemade meals instead of takeouts.
On Degrowth and reducing our consumption. This idea suggests that using less can actually lead to better living conditions for everyone. The video by William Rees touches on how economies manage growth and the challenges that comes with it. It highlights that constant expansion isn't sustainable and can lead to serious problems, like extreme weather and the high costs of dealing with climate change.

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 10/09/2024 8:58 AM

WEEK 8: Going Paperless

This week, I went paperless! I canceled all my paper mail, like bank statements, and switched to email. It’s an easy way to use less paper and help save trees. I found out that by cutting back on paper, we can lower emissions by 25%, which is pretty cool. Small steps like this make a big difference over time.

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 10/02/2024 10:42 AM

WEEK 7 : Climate March
I passed by the Climate March with a few friends, but we didn’t stay too long because there were so many people. It was still nice to see so many people coming together for the environment. Even just walking by, you could feel how much people care about making a difference. I found a banner says "On n’a qu’une seule Terre" — which really sums it up, we only have one Earth.

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 9/25/2024 9:02 AM

Week 6: Learning about Expiration dates

This weekend, I learned about the different dates on food packages like "sell by," "use by," and "best by."
I found out that food is often still good after these dates, which can help us waste less food. Now I know when
it’s okay to eat things instead of throwing them away. I hope this helps others reduce food waste too!

Read More
Mark Brian Fanilag 9/17/2024 7:34 PM

Week 5: Tried an Electric Bike!
This weekend, I test drove an electric bike at a local shop near me. I was able to ask and learn about its benefits, like how it can reduce emissions. Even though it’s not within my needs or budget right now, it gave me a lot to think about. Maybe the next time I get a bike, I'll go for an e-bike!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Mark Brian Fanilag 9/10/2024 7:54 PM

For my first action, I decided to replace my old lightbulbs with LED ones. It was an easy choice because I already had two bulbs that needed changing. As a student in industrial electronics, I know that using LED bulbs can help save energy in the long run. They use less electricity, last longer, and don’t get as hot as regular bulbs which also makes them safer. This small change also saves money on bills.

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Mark Brian Fanilag 9/03/2024 5:23 PM

Thoughts on Vanier’s Sustainability Plan
As this is my first sustainability class, I’m still learning about these topics, but the 5-Year Plan seems like a solid start. It focuses on important areas like reducing carbon emissions, saving energy, and handling waste. I’m curious if there are more ways for students to get involved, especially with things like adding more green spaces.
I’d like to ask our speakers: How can we better track progress on sustainability goals? What are some easy ways for busy students to get involved?

If there are, I’m interested in contributing to initiatives like the recycling program, participating in campus clean-up events, and joining awareness campaigns.

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