Shetal Oza

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.

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

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

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 avoid buying and using 3 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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

I will plan ahead to use paper products only made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

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 donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.