"I'm passionate to learn about how I can make a meaningful difference for our planet. I hope to share that knowledge with the people around me and inspire positive change."
POINTS TOTAL
0
TODAY
40
THIS WEEK
125
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
90
minutes
spent exercising
UP TO
100
minutes
spent outdoors
Emily's actions
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Visit the Coast
Macroalgae Protection and Restoration
I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION
Industry
Recycle Everything I Can
Recycling; Recycled Metals; Recycled Plastics
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.
COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS
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?
Needing to go to Trader Joes and Whole Foods after class, I took it upon myself to walk around campus for a while and see if there are parts of campus that I may have never noticed. In fact, there were sculptures in the sculpture garden that I had never noticed, people enjoying their time on the grass near Jans steps, and just overall good weather to walk in. I did not find the walk to be too long or tiresome because I was enjoying the weather and views around me. It is very walkable, just a lot of stairs but I do not mind the extra little workout. We have a beautiful campus, so I never mind walking through it. In terms of Westwood, it's very walkable and it's nice to see which cafe's are around, new restaurants to try, and overall just seeing how much we have nearby that does not require a car to get to. I love walks, especially hikes or strolls on the beach, so I do not mind walking to my destinations. The only downside is having to carry my groceries home, but it's just a little arm workout!
Hi Emily! I love the photo you shared. Your post really reminded me of how easy it is to overlook the everyday beauty around us. The other day, I had to stop by Whole Foods too, and instead of taking the fastest route, I took a longer walk through campus. On the way, I passed by the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and was so surprised to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom! The Pink Cloud trees are absolutely breathtaking right now. Soft petals drifted through the air, creating a peaceful, almost dreamlike moment. I honestly had no idea we had something so beautiful blooming right here on campus.
That walk made me want to slow down more often. Lately, I’ve been choosing to walk to Westwood instead of driving or calling an Uber, and it's been such a refreshing shift. It gives me a chance to take in the weather, clear my head, and discover little hidden gems around the neighborhood.
My family came to visit me over the weekend and I discussed that I have an Ecochallenge and they decided that they wanted to join me in fulfilling this goal. We went to the coast in hopes of finding some healthy algae and seaweed. In luck, we spotted many little fish, clams, and greenery in the ocean! We walked around and appreciated the nature around us for almost two hours, soaking in the sun and roaming from one end of the coast to another! It was a lot of fun and I found myself appreciating the immense seaweed round me.
Hi Emily! I think it is amazing that you got your family in on the challenge. I think continuing to spread the word about what we are doing for the EcoChallenge with those around us is a great way to get more people conscious of the environmental impacts of their actions. I also resonate with your point regarding forgetting how close we are to the ocean. With the business that comes with living in a big city like Los Angeles, it is easy to disregard the ecosystems surrounding us. Your post inspired me to do some of my own research on the role of seaweed. I learned that seaweed helps reduce ocean acidification and can even be used as a plastic alternative! I am now also much more appreciative of the impact and beauty of algae!
To add on a bit, visiting the coast and seeing seaweed up close made me realize how connected we are to ocean ecosystems. I had always thought of seaweed as just something that washes up, but it actually plays a big role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon and producing oxygen. Being there made everything I’ve learned feel real. It reminded me that even small things, like what I throw away or how much plastic I use, can have a big impact.
I joined this challenge because I want to personally make a difference and put efforts into educating and inspiring those around me. I am choosing actions that will allow me to be a greener citizen and allow me to put efforts into bettering the planet.
Sasha Gladkikh 4/16/2025 1:55 AMHi Emily! I love the photo you shared. Your post really reminded me of how easy it is to overlook the everyday beauty around us. The other day, I had to stop by Whole Foods too, and instead of taking the fastest route, I took a longer walk through campus. On the way, I passed by the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and was so surprised to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom! The Pink Cloud trees are absolutely breathtaking right now. Soft petals drifted through the air, creating a peaceful, almost dreamlike moment. I honestly had no idea we had something so beautiful blooming right here on campus.That walk made me want to slow down more often. Lately, I’ve been choosing to walk to Westwood instead of driving or calling an Uber, and it's been such a refreshing shift. It gives me a chance to take in the weather, clear my head, and discover little hidden gems around the neighborhood.
Kaia Evulich 4/12/2025 6:52 PMHi Emily! I think it is amazing that you got your family in on the challenge. I think continuing to spread the word about what we are doing for the EcoChallenge with those around us is a great way to get more people conscious of the environmental impacts of their actions. I also resonate with your point regarding forgetting how close we are to the ocean. With the business that comes with living in a big city like Los Angeles, it is easy to disregard the ecosystems surrounding us. Your post inspired me to do some of my own research on the role of seaweed. I learned that seaweed helps reduce ocean acidification and can even be used as a plastic alternative! I am now also much more appreciative of the impact and beauty of algae!
KATHRYN HEINEMEIER 4/12/2025 1:09 AM