Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102)

YCP Fall 2024

POINTS TOTAL

10 TODAY
45 THIS WEEK
308 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1,080

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

10

women, BIPOC, and immigrant-owned businesses

supported
UP TO

35

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

125

minutes

spent learning

Ivette 's actions

Buildings

Research Heat Pumps

High-Efficiency Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

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

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, POC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 20 minutes researching and shopping from 4 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Test Drive an Electric Bike

Electric Bicycles

I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Plan to Insulate

Insulation

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

All Electricity Solutions

I will research and tell 5 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Fund Family Planning

Family Planning and Education

I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/22/2024 9:38 AM

Many of our favorite foods contribute to deforestation, including palm oil, coffee, cacao, and the trio of meat, dairy, and eggs. The high demand for these products drives producers to clear vast areas of forest to increase efficiency and yield. Palm oil alone is found in about 50% of consumer goods, while coffee cultivation requires significant land—three cups of coffee necessitate the growth of 18 coffee trees. Cacao also demands extensive land use, and the production of meat, dairy, and eggs relies on ingredients linked to deforestation. Fortunately, organizations like the Rainforest Alliance are working to combat these issues by certifying products with their green frog seal, indicating sustainable practices such as shade-grown methods. Rather than completely eliminating these foods from our diets, we can seek out alternatives or choose products that support sustainable agriculture.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Research Heat Pumps

Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/21/2024 1:59 PM

We constantly consume energy, but there are effective ways to reduce our usage. One option is low-flow appliances, which help save water and energy. Another excellent choice is heat pumps. These devices extract heat from indoors to cool your home, minimizing fuel consumption and lowering electricity costs for both heating and cooling. This issue is important to me because I strive to save money while also caring for our planet. With the clear evidence of climate change, I’m dedicated to finding solutions that protect our environment. Every little bit helps, and I’m committed to doing my part.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Fix Leaky Faucets

What are other easy and low-cost ways to reduce your water usage at home?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/20/2024 6:24 PM

A significant amount of energy is consumed and wasted due to the interplay between air and water energy use. One of the primary contributors to this energy waste is hot water, which accounts for approximately 25% of household energy consumption worldwide. This is particularly concerning given the constant high demand for hot water in everyday activities such as bathing, cooking, and cleaning. To tackle this issue and promote energy efficiency, low-flow fixtures have been introduced. These fixtures, which include faucets, showerheads, and appliances like washing machines, are engineered to use significantly less water without compromising performance. By reducing water flow, we can lower the amount of hot water needed, ultimately leading to decreased energy consumption and lower utility bills. Implementing low-flow fixtures not only helps in conserving water but also plays a crucial role in minimizing energy waste, contributing to a more sustainable household and environment.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Test Drive an Electric Bike

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Private vehicles account for 60% of trips of a mile or less. Do you often drive short distances instead of biking or walking? If so, how might incorporating an electric bike into your lifestyle help you make more climate-friendly choices?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/19/2024 10:51 AM

I often find myself opting for a car instead of walking or riding an electric bicycle for short distances, even though I live conveniently close to many businesses. While the convenience and time savings of driving make it an appealing choice, relying on a car consistently is not beneficial for my overall health. For people who struggle to find time for fitness, incorporating physical activity into their daily routines can serve as a valuable alternative. For instance, studies have shown that riding electric bicycles can provide a healthy form of exercise, particularly when done over longer distances. This not only helps to improve physical fitness but also promotes a more active lifestyle, making it a win-win for both convenience and health.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Support Businesses Owned by Women, POC, or Immigrants

Which businesses that you researched are you excited to support? Are you already supporting businesses that you didn't know were owned by women, people of color, or immigrants?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/18/2024 6:52 PM

I was already familiar with Poo-Pourri and was genuinely thrilled to discover that it is a woman-owned brand. The product not only effectively prevents odors from bowel movements but does so without the use of harmful chemicals, showcasing a commitment to both quality and safety. This revelation highlights the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs in the luxury market, where many outstanding products are emerging from female-led companies. It’s inspiring to see how these brands are redefining norms and contributing positively to consumer choices.

Read More
- Monica Amador 10/18/2024 7:36 PM
  
  I had no idea Poo-Pourri was a woman-owned business; that is so neat.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Plan to Insulate

What are some of the benefits of making your home more energy efficient?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/17/2024 3:34 PM

Insulation represents a vital approach for employing eco-friendly materials to effectively reduce energy consumption in both heating and cooling systems. By enhancing thermal resistance, insulation helps maintain stable indoor temperatures, ensuring that living and working spaces remain comfortable year-round. This improved temperature regulation significantly reduces the demand on heating and cooling systems, thereby minimizing energy usage. In addition to its environmental benefits, the implementation of high quality insulation can lead to substantial financial savings over time. By lowering energy bills associated with heating and cooling, property owners can recover their initial investment in insulation materials while contributing to a more sustainable future. Overall, effective insulation not only fosters energy efficiency but also aligns with contemporary goals for environmental stewardship and cost effectiveness.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Fund Family Planning

When family planning focuses on healthcare provision and meeting the expressed needs of women, it results in empowerment, equality, and well-being, and the benefits to the planet are side effects. Why is family planning an important civil rights consideration?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/16/2024 5:14 PM

Family planning intersects with human rights and gender equality by enabling women and girls to decide when and if they want to have children. This choice fosters empowerment, as it allows them to focus on their education and careers. Furthermore, it aligns with their human rights by ensuring they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Visit the Coast

What coastal site did you visit and what did you learn while there?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/10/2024 2:51 PM

Based on information from American Scientists, we can gain insights into the life cycle of algae. Algae are often mistaken for plants, but several key differences distinguish them. The most commonly recognized types of macroalgae include red, green, and brown algae, each of which encompasses a wide variety of species.When it comes to reproduction, algae can reproduce both asexually and sexually. In asexual reproduction, a single organism can produce gametes that contain a single set of chromosomes. These gametes can then develop into spores, which contain two sets of chromosomes and can grow into new individuals without fertilization.Sexual reproduction is more complex, as it involves the challenge of egg and sperm finding each other in turbulent waters. This matchmaking difficulty can affect the success of fertilization.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Ivette Hernandez-Noyola (102) 10/07/2024 2:54 PM

The last date recommend for consumption is referred to as use by. The sell by date is the last date on which a retailer should sell a product to ensure it is at optimal freshness. This information helps consumers determine the best time to buy a specific product. If the sell by date is approaching, it indicates that the product will only be fresh for a few more days, so it may be wise to avoid purchasing it. However, it’s still safe to consume after the sell by date, but just be sure to inspect the product for quality before eating. On the other hand, the use by date is more critical; it's advisable not to consume a product past this date, as it indicates the point at which it may begin to spoil.

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