Justyna Miziolek

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 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will replace 3 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

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 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 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.

I will spend 15 minutes researching and shopping from 3 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

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

I will spend at least 11 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.