Julie Gonsalves

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.

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

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.

I will spend 30 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will spend 60 minutes researching cattle feed and manure management, or visiting a dairy farm to learn about their farming practices.

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 avoid buying and using 1 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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 spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.