While global and national actions get a lot of attention, it’s often at the local community level where individuals can have the greatest input and where change is most tangible. But every community is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I will spend 20 minutes finding out how my neighborhood, town or city is helping the environment and building local resilience.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 20 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will spend 20 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will plan ahead to use paper products only made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

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

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

I will spend 20 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

Using Drawdown's Job Function Action Guide, I will learn about climate actions I can take at work.

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

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

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

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, including electronics and metals.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

I will avoid buying and using 3 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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.

I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

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.

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.