Drawdown Ecochallenge 2025

CHARLOTTE GAYNER

"I have a deep love for the outdoors, even if I don't always get out enough. I love birdwatching, scuba diving, hiking, and learning about plants and animals. However, I know that love for all of these things is not enough to protect them. Shrinking ecosystems, climbing temperatures, plummeting air qualities, and more threaten my way of life just as much as it does my neighbor's. I am joining this ecochallenge to become more conscious of the things I do in my day to day life that help and harm our home."

POINTS TOTAL

105 TODAY
105 THIS WEEK
362 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

carbon footprint

calculated
UP TO

270

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

0.0

donations

made
UP TO

4.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

2.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

55

minutes

spent learning

CHARLOTTE's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

Multiple Transportation Solutions

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Cook With Seaweed

Seaweed Farming

I will use seaweed in a new recipe.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Buy Bamboo

Bamboo Production

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 6/02/2025 10:32 AM
I recently purchased a bamboo cutting board instead of one made from plastic or another type of wood. It was actually less expensive than the wooden one and came in more sizes. Bamboo alternatives are readily available in Los Angeles and I am excited to use them more often. My new cutting board is also very neat. My old one, also made of bamboo, was too small to cut anything other than a single cucumber. With the new one, I will be able to cut large amounts of vegetables for my soups and can also use it as a serving dish for charcuterie.

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- Ayla Saruhan 6/02/2025 10:47 AM
  Hi Charlotte, I'm surprised you were able to find a bamboo cutting board that was cheaper than the plastic alternatives. Finding a good cutting board is so important. When I have a good cutting board I am encouraged to use it more which leads to me eating out less so I am glad you were able to find a good one for a reasonable price! Send the link, I would love to transition to sustainable alternatives such as bamboo :)
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 6/02/2025 10:26 AM
In Los Angeles, women face multiple barriers to equal participation and representation in community leadership, including structural inequities like pay disparities and underrepresentation in decision-making roles, particularly for women of color, cultural norms that perpetuate gender stereotypes and harassment, economic constraints such as limited access to financial resources and the burden of unpaid care work, and insufficient support structures like mentorship or childcare, worstened by challenges of race and the lingering impacts of COVID-19. Initiatives like the Los Angeles County Women and Girls Initiative and the Commission on the Status of Women are working to address these through policy reforms and community engagement, offering opportunities to advocate for equity, support women leaders, and challenge stereotypes in daily life.
My sorority raises money to contribute to the education of children. Our organization focuses on giving children the resources needed to learn to read, as this skill is essential for everyone. Children who learn to read grow up to be adults who teach their children to read.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

What are the multiple benefits of community gardens, including carbon sequestration? Why do these benefits matter to you?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 6/02/2025 10:18 AM
While at the Kuruvungna Village Springs, some classmates and I in another class worked in their ocean friendly garden. We dug up Bermuda grass roots, broke up hard soil, and planted native plants that will increase wildlife in the area. It was very cool to see. My favorite part of the garden was all of the trees. The section of water directly under the large tree closest to the school was beautiful. It felt like I was no longer in LA and instead in an area filled with so much peace. While this garden is not a community garden in the sense of growing food, it instead grows a shared respect of native culture. The garden reduces run off and helps protect the ocean, even though it is not directly next to the ocean.

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- Joel Cruz 6/02/2025 3:13 PM
  Wow this is exactly the sort of thing I am trying to get at with Reasearch Project 1! As you know already, I had a similar experience at the Ballona Wetlands. It was amazing to physically be in an area where indigeneity, gardening, wetland, and sea came together to influence the atmosphere. All these things are connected. The health of the plants affects the health of the wetlands which affects the health of the ocean, and all parts of this contribute to the sequestration of emissions. Protecting one aspect requires the protection of all the interconnected aspects. The indigenous people of Los Angeles knew to protect these interconnected aspects before we were even born, and they have for thousands of years. Not to mention these spaces like you said are now places of community. Places of community enable the organization of support, which lead to the effectively influencing those in power to enact change.
  
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- Nala Son 6/02/2025 10:52 AM
  Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience at Kuruvungna Village Springs, it sounds like such a powerful and grounding day. I love how you described the feeling of being transported out of LA and into a space of peace. It’s amazing how nature, especially in places like this with deep cultural significance, can help us slow down and reconnect with something bigger than ourselves. It reminded me of when our class was held at the botanical garden, taking us out of the traditional boundaries of a classroom and letting us take note of our experiences/surroundings. I really appreciate your point about how the garden isn't about growing food, but about growing respect. That perspective really stuck with me as it's a reminder that sustainability isn’t just environmental but also cultural and relational. By supporting native plants and reducing runoff, the garden is healing the land and honoring the people who’ve cared for it long before us. It’s inspiring to hear how hands-on restoration work like removing invasive grass and planting native species can also become a way to connect with local history and community values. Thank you for reflecting on that, it makes me want to visit and get involved, too!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

What did you learn about indigenous peoples' land management that you can apply in your own life?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 6/02/2025 10:13 AM
I attended a ceremony at the Kuruvungna Village Springs and Cultural Center. It is located next to University High School and is open on the first Saturday of each month. A village elder came to speak with us about the history of the site and how it continues to be protected. It was amazing to see the natural spring under us and to be able to see the water flowing from underground. I learned how I can plant native plants in my yard to decrease the amount of runoff near me, and how I can reduce my waste amount, as any trash in our ecosystems is too much trash.

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CHARLOTTE GAYNER 6/02/2025 9:45 AM
I have previously focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling, and mentioned reconsidering buying products as well. This past week, my roommate and I realized we needed a few more drinking cups to be able to have our friends over for dinner. Our first thought was to go to HomeGoods or Target to get a pack of something, but then thought, "hey, they don't have to match" so we used what we already had. We used the rest of the half full pasta sauces we had, finished our jars of pickles and olives, then rinsed those and removed the labels. Now we have enough cups to host our friends and we didn't have to spend any more money!

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- GENESIS CANO ALVAREZ 6/02/2025 10:35 AM
  Hi Charlotte, thank you for sharing this! I completely agree, I’ve also found that repurposing old pasta jars is such a simple yet effective way to incorporate sustainability into everyday life. One thing I discovered is that keeping the lid on makes them perfect for transporting coffee or other drinks, whether I’m driving or walking somewhere. Instead of buying a new Stanley or Owala reusable cup, I realized this was a more sustainable and budget-friendly alternative that helped me cut down on unnecessary purchases!
  
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- Gianna Marko 6/02/2025 9:50 AM
  How very resourceful of you Charlotte! Recycled jars make wonderful drinking glasses.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

What recipe did you make and how did it turn out? Will you cook with seaweed again?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 10:31 PM
I tried making seaweed salad to go with my salmon bowl today! I had never made seaweed salad and it was very easy. All I had to do was rehydrate dried seaweed and add oil, vinegar, sugar, and salt once rung out. It was very tasty, I would make it again! Another added bonus was that I did not have to use the oven or stove for my vegetables, reducing the amount of gas and power I used for the day. Here is the recipe I used, if anyone else would like to try! https://www.seriouseats.com/seaweed-salad-recipe

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- Aanchal Kasargod 5/19/2025 11:08 AM
  Hey Charlotte! Woah, that's so cool that you made your own seaweed salad! I love seaweed salad in all of my bowls, so I really loved reading about how you made your own! I also didn't know you could do it by rehydrating dried seaweed, so I'll definitely try making this on my own sometime too!! Thanks for sharing :)
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 10:10 PM
The past month, my roommate and I have been walking to get groceries instead of driving. I have enjoyed it as I get out more, spend less since I have to carry it all back with me, and spend less on gas. I did not realize how quickly the small trips add up on my tank! I feel like I am more aware of sanitation and road conditions in our community after doing this. I am also much more aware of the amount of money I spend on groceries and gas.

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- Briana Gilman 5/30/2025 7:02 PM
  Hi Charlotte! This is great! I, too, have been walking to get my groceries instead of ubering and it has been great! It's nice to get to spend more time outdoors due to walking and it also is a good workout with all the westwood hills haha
  
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- Gavin Yang 4/29/2025 11:00 PM
  I definitely relate to limiting my spending during grocery trips since I have to carry it back. It makes for good exercise but is also makes it hard to buy heavier items, especially any sort of liquid like milk or yogurt.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry

What are some more "Rs" you could add to your daily practice to reduce your waste?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 6:33 PM
I think I can "reconsider" and "repurpose" more. I can reconsider if I really need the specific product with wasteful packaging and see if there is a more environmentally friendly option available to me. I can repurpose plastic to go containers to organize drawers, store food, and even craft with the young girl I babysit.

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- Lauren Edwards 6/02/2025 10:16 AM
  Hi Charlotte, I really like the new ways you can implement reducing waste in your daily life. I especially appreciate "reconsider" because I often dispose of things after I'm done with them without a second thought or any consideration of how I could repurpose it. I feel like I could also reconsider what products I'm choosing, picking one that will produce less waste. I like your creative ideas on how you can repurpose plastic, I also babysitting a young girl and I never considered saving certain packing for us to use but I think that's a great idea that I'll use moving forward.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings

What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 6:29 PM
My roommate and I had been putting off asking our landlord to fix a bathroom faucet that has a very slow drip, viewing it as a small amount of water and not a priority. However, after learning that a leak as slow as ten drips a minute can waste about one gallon of water a day, we decided it needed to be fixed. We saw our landlord while coming back from class and asked him to take a look. It only took him a few minutes to fix and he was happy to do it for us!
Other easy and low-cost ways to reduce my water usage at home include taking shorter showers, only running the dishwasher when it is full, and being ready to get into the shower right when it is almost warmed up (rather than waiting a few extra minutes after it is warm). Even better, I could take cold showers to eliminate the water wasted when warming it up, though that may take more adjustment.

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- Ayla Saruhan 4/30/2025 2:18 PM
  This is so relatable, Charlotte! My roommate and I have been thinking about buying our own energy saving light bulbs instead of asking the landlord to replace them. The lights he chooses are bright white and they always seem to need to be replaced shortly after being installed. These bright bulbs typically tend to be cheaper than long-lasting energy saving light bulbs which is probably why our landlord prefers them but those couple of extra dollars are worth it for us as people who are conscious of their impact on the environment. We decided the next time the lights go out we will replace them ourselves rather than rely on maintenance.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 9:13 AM
I get a lot of anxiety around food dates because I hate being sick (like everyone else). This has caused me to throw away perfectly good food just because it is past the best by date on the container. I watched about 10 minutes of YouTube videos explaining why "best by" dates do not matter. It makes me feel a bit more relaxed around the items in my pantry and I am interested to see how this reduces the amount of money I will spend on groceries, not having to replace items I threw away for no reason.

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- Kaia Evulich 4/29/2025 11:38 AM
  Hi Charlotte! I also completed this challenge, and I had a very similar experience. It is interesting to think about how a factor such as anxiety can contribute to food waste and potentially climate change. I think a lot of it boils down to education. I was never taught about the differences between food labels. However doing this challenge also helped me put my mind at ease about food safety. I personally hate throwing away unused food, so sometimes I do not buy enough groceries out of fear of my items going to waste. I think that knowing how items are labeled will make me feel more confident about my grocery purchases because I will feel comfortable keeping items longer!
  
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