Gabryella Pulsinelli

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

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

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

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

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

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 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 practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

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

I will spend 30 minutes researching cattle feed and manure management, or visiting a dairy farm to learn about their farming practices.

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

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.