Cheryl Hyers

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.

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

I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.

I will cook 1 meals with zero-waste each day.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Drawdown Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

I will spend at least 4 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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 micro wind.

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

Each day, I will spend at least 4 minutes learning more about how bottom-trawling impacts on the seafloor.

I will spend at least 6 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.

Each day, I will spend at least 4 minutes learning more about protecting and restoring macroalgae/seaweed.

I will visit seafoodwatch.org and download the app to commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

I will spend 4 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.