Matt Petrovic

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 eat a heart healthy diet by adding 4 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

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

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 20 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

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.

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

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

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 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 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 assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles.

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.