Lydia Roe

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

I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

I will avoid buying and using 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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 enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

I will spend 30 minutes researching and shopping from 3 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.

I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.

I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

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 spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

I will plant 1 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

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 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.