Sienna Fiaschetti
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Sienna's actions
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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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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.
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.)
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.
Buildings
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Electricity
Advocate for Solar Installation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
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
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Food Waste
Reduced Food Waste
I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Drawdown Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.
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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).
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.
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?
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Sienna Fiaschetti 11/13/2024 9:46 AMLast Post
Overall, this ecochallenge experience has been very motivating. I don’t believe it was at all difficult but rather exciting to make changes to my life to become more sustainable for our future. I learnt so many ways that sustainability can be achieved and the many ways our earth benefits. I think that my efforts have made a difference and that I will continue to work hard to integrate even more ways of being sustainable in my life. I’ve included my mom in this challenge and she is now very motivated as well towards pushing for change towards a greener planet. Even though she might not be directly affected she is still strongly invested. I believe that if everyone was actively participating in this challenge even slightly that it can amount to an even larger change and support this tremendous movement. A world without fossil fuels is obviously a world with lower greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air. There world be a large growth is sustainable energy sources. The negative impacts would be economic wise, as industries such as the oil industry would face challenges and a lot of jobs would be lost. Also, renewable sources are much more costly especially for building new infrastructures. It would definitely be a dramatic shift but one that is definitely posssible. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 11/13/2024 9:35 AMWeek of Nov 13th
I recently just purchased a bamboo straw as part on my action to purchase bamboo products. Bamboo is a biodegradable material that is natural and reusable. It is the best material of choice for sustainability reasons. Unlike plastic straws, bamboo straws naturally decompose which is extremely important. It is also an extremely fast growing plant that doesn’t need replanting. Using bamboo in the kitchen is especially useful as it removes an harsh chemicals that might be present in other materials. Bamboo is also great for resisting bacteria growth, therefore having health benefits as well. The one I bought comes with a case in order to be hygienically stored and taken on the go. I recently purchased coffee at my local cafe and specifically asked for no plastic straw in order to use my new bamboo straw. It is definitely an adjustment but i’m excited to make the switch. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 11/06/2024 9:49 AMPost for Nov 6th
This week I wanted to tackle Calculating my household Carbon footprint. I started off by asking my mother our monthly electricity consumption by looking at past bills and she said that our average consumption of approximately 800 kWh per month. We have also taken an estimate of kilometres driven per year which is about 13 000 km. When it comes to waste we fill up about two average size garbage bags and a bag of recycling a week. Therefore it is safe to assume that my families Carbon footprint is not that high but there is always a way we can reduce it. we can consider taking public transport more often as a family especially when we are travelling further distances to lower emissions. I’ve even suggested to my family that we should consider purchasing an electric car. We can also start composting in order to reduce waste which can eventually cut down waste emissions. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 10/30/2024 10:05 AMWeek of Oct. 30th
I had the pleasure of going to an apple orchard this and picking fresh apples for baking and also supporting local farmers by buying fresh produce. This also allows for less spoilage as the fresher it is the longer its shelf life which gives me times to bake all kinds of goods with the apple i’ve picked in order to eliminate waste. I find that picking apples always allows me to have a better understanding of where our food comes from and the process and effort that goes into it, which fostered a greater appreciation for food. I also love the idea of supporting farmers who truly care and take sustainability into account when practicing agriculture.
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Sienna Fiaschetti 10/23/2024 10:11 AMThanksgiving:
After watching the 4 videos assigned for this week, i’ve gained a better understanding of carbon footprint and its effects. This is a direct effect caused by humans, that releases greenhouse gasses and the key thing that contributes is consumption . A point mentioned was the idea of regrowth by reducing carbon footprint. This is crucial in climate change as we can always lower our greenhouse emissions before it’s too late. What i’m thankful for this thanksgiving, that doesn’t harm the environment is nature and the green spaces provided in my community. This makes my walks around the neighborhood very relaxing and peaceful while also providing clean air and reduced CO2 emissions. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 10/01/2024 4:53 PMQuebec’s principles for a just transition:
After reading the quebec’s principles for a just transition, it is clear that action is being taken towards climate change at a social and environmental level. Mass demonstration plays an important role in change. This is because the pressure by the public is the driving force to government change. Not only do events like this bring people together, but they highlight urgent problems that need fixing, and mass demonstration makes it hard to ignore. Gathering together and uniting to amplify our voices generates widespread of coverage from all around the world. This shows the strength we have as individuals to make change and truly impact. I unfortunately could not make it to the climate march but i have attached a photo of a quote that really stood out to me which is the following, “You’ll die of old age, we’ll die of climate change.” I picked this quote because it shows the importance of climate change especially for us young generations that will be left behind inheriting a world full of crisis. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 9/18/2024 9:47 AMSeptember 18th Update
I’ve recently been going on walks every night after dinner in my neighbourhood for 15 minutes and I really enjoy it. Not only is it now my favourite part of my day, i’ve gotten some of my family members to join me and it makes for an enjoyable evening. I’ve started to take note of infrastructure and noticed how accessible walking is in my neighbourhood. There are long sidewalks and beautiful greens that can really attract pedestrians to walk. They have even bike lanes that extend all throughout to encourage people to bike. They have speeds bumps on all usually busy streets to reduce the speed of cars and allow for pedestrians to walk freely. Although, i’ve noticed that this is not the case everywhere. I’ve taken a walk near my cousins neighbourhood and was saddened to see that those infrastructures are not set everywhere. There was barely a side walk and it is such a busy area that walking can be dangerous. This doesn’t encourage people to walk or bike and should be improved. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 9/11/2024 7:37 AMReduced Food Waste Action
One of the 10 actions l've picked is reduced food waste in the food and agriculture category. I've learned that one third of food worldwide goes to waste and this happens at farms, distribution centres, groceries store and after consumption. This action is relevant as lots of energy and resources are required for producing and transporting. When food is wasted, seeds, water and fertilizer are too, and greenhouse gasses generated during the production will be for food that doesn't get eaten. In order to address and take action upon this situation, l've decided to go along with my mom on a trip to the grocery store. I picked produce that maybe aren't as attractive, meaning they were bruised or coming close to expiring and decided that I would make a salad for dinner with all the produce I picked. Some challenges faced would be that the food boughten, especially the produce expiring must be eaten as soon as possible to prevent its waste, but other than that my experience wasn't much challenging. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 9/03/2024 5:53 PMIn preparation for the guests speakers, I have read over Vanier's 5-year sustainability action plan 2018-2023 and I am impressed. I Think the plan seems to be pretty efficient and implements many ways of increasing sustainability on our campus. As I am new to sustainability practices, I don’t think Vanier is missing anything major but i’m sure there is always room for improvement. From my observations, I can say that vanier is doing very well as there are many green spaces around the campus that my previous schools never had. I would like to ask speakers the following,
1) In what ways are sustainable practices promoted to students at Vanier?
2) How can students with busy schedules be involved?
I would be interested in contributing to, is engaging with sustainability in the classroom, minimize single use materials and help educate about recycling as these are all things that interest me. -
Sienna Fiaschetti 9/03/2024 5:23 PMHi class,
My name is Sienna fiaschetti and i’m in my third semester at Vanier College in the pure and applied sciences program. Some of my interests include, travelling to new places and cooking. I have not yet come up with ideas for the sustainability project but I am excited to start brainstorming :)
