Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 326 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO2.0meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO5.0milestraveled by bike
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UP TO24pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO105minutesbeing mindful
Marcelo's actions
Transportation
SiA Homework for Sept 4 - PRACTICE POST
Write an Ecochallenge POST to our team, briefly stating how you currently commute to Vanier. In Quebec, because we have a lot of hydro electric power, one of the main source of carbon emissions is from transportation. What commuting options do you have that would be healthier for you and the planet? Will you be considering any changes for this semester? If so, select or create an EcoChallenge action. If not, explain what your particular challenges are and what you could do to help other people in your situation (e.g. organise car sharing, propose a bus shuttle, etc.)
Share Your Story
SiA Homework for Sept 4 - PRACTICE POST
On Sept 4, we will have 3 guests come talk to us about sustainability initiatives at Vanier. In preparation, please read over VANIER'S 5-YEAR SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 2018-2023 and then write an EcoChallenge post that includes the following: - What do you think about the plan? Is it ambitious enough? Is there anything missing or superfluous? From your own observation and experience, how well is Vanier doing? List some questions that you would like to ask our speakers regarding Sustainability at Vanier? - Identify at least 3 initiatives that you are potentially interested in contributing to this semester and explain why. (Note there is a column labelled student involvement.) For more detailed information, you can also consult the 2020 VANIER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT in the links.
Share Your Story
SiA Homework for Sept 11 - Intro Post
Please write a short post to introduce yourself to the class. Mention some of your interests and what program you are in. If you have some ideas for your sustainability project this semester, please share - you might find a collaborator! Inspire others with the EcoChallenge actions that you are interested in trying out. Include a photo of yourself if you like.
Transportation
Test Drive an Electric Bike
Electric Bicycles
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.
Industry
Practice the 5 Rs
Recycling
I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Composting
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
Reduced Food Waste
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Transportation
Go by Bike
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will commute by bike 6 miles each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.
Share Your Story
READ Quebec's principles for a just transition AND/OR PARTICIPATE in the Sept 27 Climate March
For the week of Sept 25 to Oct 2, please read the documents attached AND IF YOU CAN, please attend the Sept 27 Climate March. Many people and organisations feel that the government is dragging its feet on the important changes required to meet our climate commitments. For your post, reflect on the value of mass demonstrations. Include a photo of a protest banner or slogan that you find effective (if you can't attend the event then find a photo on the web from other climate marches).
Participant Feed
Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
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Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 11/13/2024 10:08 AMReflecting on my Eco-Challenge experience, I realize it was both rewarding and challenging. Integrating new habits into my daily routine required a lot of intentional effort. But I learned so much along the way. I became more aware of the small choices I make each day, from conserving water to reducing single-use plastics, and I saw how even small adjustments could have a positive impact. The experience taught me that while one person’s efforts may seem like a drop in the bucket, collectively, these small actions can build up to something meaningful.I mostly went through the challenge on my own, but I can imagine that having my family or friends involved would have added a new layer to it. With their support, I think it would have felt more encouraging, and we could have held each other accountable.
Looking to the future, I think I’ll stick with some of these habits they’re small changes, but I can see their value, both for me and the environment. The idea of a world without fossil fuels is both exciting and daunting. On the positive side, it would mean a huge reduction in air pollution, cleaner cities, and healthier ecosystems. Potentially creating a world that prioritizes renewable energy sources, with more electric transportation, solar and wind power, and communities built around sustainability. But I also recognize the challenges. Transitioning away from fossil fuels would mean restructuring much of our energy systems and could have significant impacts on industries and jobs tied to oil, gas, and coal. It could lead to economic disruptions and force us to adapt quickly. Economics are not to be forgotten when dreaming about a better world, and fossil fuels are a massively important aspect for global economy. The elimination of that sector of the economy would cause irreversible damage on world trade, geopolitics and overall wealth of countries.
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Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 11/05/2024 8:27 PMThis week, I took it upon myself to start incorporating composting into my routine to help reduce waste and support soil health. I set up a small compost bin in my kitchen, where I collect food scraps. It’s amazing how much less trash I end up with each week! Plus, I know that instead of going to a landfill, my food scraps are breaking down naturally and will eventually enrich the soil. Composting really is a simple practice that will not only benefit our planet, but our own trash. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 10/23/2024 6:47 PMToday we planted trees with our class, it was a very fulfilling experience due to its rawness and natural feel. I found it very interesting to learn how to properly plant a tree, along with the reasoning behind the logistics of doing so. I think it was important that we have all learned how to plan trees as we should all plant trees on our own in our future residence. Learning practices like that will allow us as a society to further improve our sustainable practices and will allow us to spread the wisdom to others. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 10/23/2024 8:50 AMThanksgiving
The overall message I gathered from the four videos is that our current way of living, driven by constant consumption and economic growth, is unsustainable for the environment. They emphasize how our individual carbon footprints and the pursuit of profit, particularly in industries like fossil fuels, come at the cost of both the planet’s and people’s well-being. The idea of degrowth challenges us to rethink this pattern and embrace a more balanced, sustainable lifestyle.Some things I’m grateful for that don’t harm the environment are spending time outdoors, whether it’s playing soccer or simply enjoying a walk in the park. I also appreciate using reusable items, like water bottles and shopping bags, which help reduce waste. Additionally, cooking at home with local ingredients allows me to enjoy fresh meals while minimizing my environmental impact.Reflecting on the concept of degrowth, I see how it could positively transform my life. By consuming less and focusing more on experiences, I could reduce stress, save money, and live in a more eco-friendly way. Choosing sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort it can lead to a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle.
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Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 10/16/2024 7:12 PMThis week, I started reducing single-use plastics by carrying a reusable water bottle and using shopping bags. I started this to minimize my environmental footprint. I think it is important to realize that habits are what define us as a person, which is why small changes, like using reusables, add up. Habits like these are like compound interest, eventually they will progress into something bigger. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 10/11/2024 6:04 PMThis week, I aimed to learn how to eat properly in order to end up adopting a plant-based diet or incorporating more plant-based meals into my diet overall. I share this because This practice significantly reduces your carbon footprint, conserves water, and minimizes deforestation linked to animal agriculture. All of which are subject that are dear to me, and I can imagine them being important to all of you as well. Beyond personal health benefits, choosing plant-based meals is a powerful way to contribute to global sustainability.Also, the negative stigma linked with the lack of protein and fat associated with a plant based diet is false, simple research will put your minds at ease. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 10/01/2024 5:33 PMQuebec’s principles for a just transition clearly emphasize taking meaningful action against climate change, both socially and environmentally. One of the most powerful ways to drive this change is through mass demonstrations, as they create significant public pressure on governments to act. These gatherings not only bring communities together but also put a spotlight on pressing environmental issues, making them difficult to overlook. When people unite and raise their voices, it generates global attention and underscores the power of collective action.
The quote I chose from a banner is: Pas de nature, pas de future.
I was not able to insert an image. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 9/24/2024 8:11 PMThis week, I came across a topic that caught my attention, biodiversity. At first I wasn't clear on what it meant exactly, so hear is my attempt at defining it: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, as well as the ecosystems they form and the genetic diversity within species. Along with everything else, humans are deteriorating the state of our planet's biodiversity, and here is a suggestion as to how we can prevent causing further damage. It is called sustainable land use, sustainable land use is a powerful tool for preserving biodiversity while supporting human needs such as food, water, and economic activities. It involves managing land in a way that maintains its productivity and ecological health, without degrading ecosystems or depleting resources. The use of sustainable land use will help use preserve natural habitats whilst also reducing climate change. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 9/17/2024 11:52 AMThis week, I came across something that I found very interesting concerning agricultural practices. The following being vertical farming, vertical farming is an innovative approach to tackling climate change. By growing crops in stacked layers within controlled indoor environments, vertical farms drastically reduce the need for arable land and water. This method uses up to 95% less water than traditional farming and eliminates the need for pesticides. It's interesting because it allows for year-round crop production with a significantly smaller carbon footprint. By minimizing the distance food travels from farm to table, it also cuts down on transportation emissions. As urban populations grow, vertical farming offers a sustainable way to provide fresh produce while conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gases. -
Marcelo Rodriguez Sanchez 9/10/2024 5:43 PMThe action that I completed this week was the following: "Go by Bike". Completing this action was a very pleasant experience due to very nice weather, I got lucky and got to bike to school on a very sunny day. Also, the commute was less exhausting than I would have imagined. Useful information to share would be that I used a BIXI bike, which to my surprise were very easy to access and use. Also, there is a BIXI station right next to Vanier, thus making the trip shorter. Although I did not experience any, some challenges could include: having to bike in a high traffic zone (thus increasing danger), not owning a helmet, and the BIXI stations that you are planning to use could be either full or empty. To overcome the last challenge I presented, all you need to do is look at the status of the BIXI dock you are planning to use on the BIXI app. As for the high traffic zone, maybe sacrificing a few minutes in order to ensure safety would be worth it, and for the helmet the answer is pretty obvious, buy one.