Julie Martin

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

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.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

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

I will spend 20 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

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

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.

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

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

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will source 25 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin practicing it in my own life.

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 complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

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

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

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.