I will go online and find information about what, if any, environmentally friendly facilities hotels use.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Envrionmentally Friendly Accomodations
After doing research to see what types of green initiatives hotels are implementing and whether they are making this information public, I was severely disappointed with their lack of effort to help tourists make ecologically responsible decisions when booking their hotels. I want to see if there are other ways that tourists can travel and opt for a different accommodation that is not a hotel, which may be more environmentally conscious.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Transportation
Try Carpooling
Carpooling
I will commute by carpool 1 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn About Cattle Farming
Improved Cattle Feed; Improved Manure Management
I will spend 15 minutes researching cattle feed and manure management, or visiting a dairy farm to learn about their farming practices.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Tend A Garden
Conservation Agriculture
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.
COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS
Electricity
Calculate My Household Carbon Footprint
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Participant Feed
REFLECTION
QUESTION
Land Sinks
How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
I try to spend at least one day a week going to the botanical gardens on campus in order to feel better connected to my local environment. The botanical gardens are a great way to learn about local plants, as they have placards that talk about each of the plants that they have planted. Another way that I like to spend time outdoors is by going on hikes with my friends on the weekends and during breaks. I recently went to Yosemite National Park for the first time over Spring break with my friends and it was such an incredible experience. Growing up in Istanbul, I had never seen mountains and trees that were so staggeringly tall. I really enjoy exploring the local environment as it makes me feel more connected to this place that felt so foreign when I moved here 4 years ago. Additionally, by going outside and touching grass, I am able to ground myself in times of stress and gain a greater appreciation for the local environment. By appreciating nature more, I am motivated to implement lifestyle changes that improve the health of the environment so that my kids will one day hopefully be able to enjoy nature in the same way that I did.
Hello Ayla! It's nice to hear that you were able to experience various sets of large trees around California, since you didn't experience the same growing up in Turkiye. I can relate to your experiences in the Botanical Gardens, as reading descriptions of the diverse flora in the gardens helped me to understand the lifestyle of the native Tongva tribe as far as their diet and sociocultural connection to nature.
Clean air, clean water and healthy food are just three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons? How could/does regenerative agriculture positively impact you and your community?
Regenerative agriculture is the practice of planting a variety of plants on the same plot of land so that they can boost and replace the nutrients that are used by other crops. This is important to maintain proper soil health, which allows for crops to be grown on that land for generations. This is especially important for the Los Angeles community because the environment is already dry and nutrient-deficient due to generations of unsustainable farming practices. Since the Los Angeles area is dry, there are only certain crops that naturally grow in this climate, but that does not stop agribusiness corporations from trying to grow plants that are not accustomed to this environment in large mono-crop farms. Another benefit of regenerative farming to the Los Angeles area is that it improves resilience against climate events that are occurring with increasing frequency such as droughts and wildfires. As the temperatures continue to rise, smart water usage is going to become increasingly important if we want to maintain the soil health of the area. The implications if we fail to do so will be far-reaching, affecting communities way past LA's borders, due to Southern California being one of the main agricultural producers for the United States. Regenerative farming practices also improve carbon sequestration efforts, which is important for Los Angeles due to its heavy reliance on private car transportation. By improving carbon sequestration, the effects of increasing temperature on decreasing water availability can be mitigated, and water usage will be improved. In this way, I can see how regenerative farming practices address multiple parts of the climate issue and thus work as a comprehensive solution for many of the issues that Southern California will inevitably have to address in the near future.
I learned that while cattle farms have economic benefits, they are also extremely harmful to the environment because they contribute to habitat destruction, greenhouse gas emissions, and are extremely water inefficient. In order to make space to grow cattle, large portions of natural habitats are destroyed to create grazing space for the animals that are being raised. Additionally, animals require a lot of water to grow. Not only do the animals themselves require water to survive, but the food that they eat also needs water to grow. Instead of using the crops that are grown to feed animals, we could directly eat the crops that are being grown to decrease the water usage in the agribusiness industry. The Water Footprint Food Guide describes that to produce one serving of beef (which they define as 4 ounces) requires 463 gallons of water. On the contrary, to produce one serving of soybeans (1 serving = 4 ounces), which is another good source of protein, only requires 64 gallons of water. Thus, it requires 7 times less water to produce the same amount of soybeans compared to beef. This is one example of why it is important to limit our meat intake, especially red meat. Finally, growing cattle also produces high greenhouse gas emissions due to methane release. Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas compared to Carbon Dioxide but has not received as much attention as CO2 until recently. As methane is released into the atmosphere, more heat gets trapped, which further diminishes water supplies and simultaneously increases the need for water due to higher temperatures globally. Researching this topic was super insightful into the costs of eating meat and how we can utilize alternative protein sources to decrease our environmental impact.
In my apartment, my roommates and I have a 'green corner' where we keep our plants. The plants that we grow are not necessarily edible, and the times we have tried to grow strawberries, mint, and basil, we have had little success. Trying to grow a garden while living in an apartment is not easy because it is hard to manage the different needs of all the plants, but the benefits are so important. Not only does it keep our apartment fresh by providing clean air, but it also improves my mood and my mental health whenever I look at it. There is something about taking care of the plants that makes me feel good, almost like they are pets that I have to take care of. They also serve as a symbol for the planet as a whole, which subconsciously reminds me that we all have a part to play in taking care of the Earth, even if it is through small actions such as tending to a small garden.
I love this so much! Your “green corner” sounds like such a peaceful and meaningful space. I really relate to what you said about plants feeling like pets; there’s something incredibly grounding about taking care of a living thing, even when it's just a small basil sprout (or, in my case, a very dramatic pothos that wilts at the first sign of neglect 😅). I also appreciate how you connected your plant care to a larger sense of environmental responsibility. It’s easy to underestimate the impact of these “small” actions, but they really do keep us mindful. Even when the strawberries don’t grow (been there!), just having that green space makes a difference for the air, our mindset, and the way we think about our relationship with nature. I don’t have much space in my apartment either, but your post inspired me to try again with a few low-maintenance plants.
List some of the places you frequent often (work, grocery store, natural areas). Could you choose one or two days a week to schedule driving with a friend, neighbor or co-worker to these places?
My roommates and I try to organize our schedules in a way that we are all going to campus at the same time so that we can carpool. This has been super effective at reducing our carbon footprint as a household and also makes the trip more fun! We also try to find times when we can all go grocery shopping together so that we can carpool there and back, which has helped to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. While these places are walkable, it is hard to find the time to walk due to our busy schedules, which is why carpooling has become a good compromise for our household. Additionally, one of my roommates works at a mall, so whenever one of us wants to go to the mall, we typically catch a ride with her so that we are not polluting the environment more than necessary. Not only does carpooling improve emissions, it also makes the journey more enjoyable, especially during rush hour when there is traffic. We are able to catch up on our lives, share music, and spend quality time during the journey, which makes the traffic less frustrating.
Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?
Meat is usually pretty expensive due to the high cost of production. For this reason, it makes sense that people in richer countries eat more meat because they can afford it. Eating meat, especially red meat, can increase the body's cholesterol and greenhouse gas emissions due to high methane production. Since raising cattle is a high producer of greenhouse gases, when people in richer countries eat meat, the effects are felt inequitably, with the highest impact occurring in lower-income countries. While I am aware of the impacts of eating meat, I grew up doing so, which makes it difficult to switch to other protein sources as my comfort foods incorporate meat. Food is also a way that people stay in touch with their culture and as someone who is living in a foreign country, making Turkish food is one way that I stay connected to my heritage and that entails using meat. Additionally, since I did not grow up cooking or eating other protein sources such as tofu, I struggled to find ways to incorporate this protein source into my recipes. While I understand the importance of eating less meat for both the environment and my health, it is important to find a balance that allows me to also celebrate my culture through food.
These are some great insights, Ayla, Genesis. I think another perspective worth thinking about is sort of the "responsibility" that comes with great "power", or in this case wealth. I think its wealthier countries especially that have the means and freedom (not in all cases however) to choose whatever it is they want to eat. I think we have the privilege to have a myriad of meat options as well as plant-based options in-reach. I think the key here is some balance! I especially like to diversify my food options so I don't get bored. I love switching ethnic food every meal and some great options for plant based include Buddhist influened countries like Japan and India. Also there is definitely an increasing consumer demand for fusion-style ethnic food. For example, Filipino restaurants near me serve Sisig, usually a pork-based dish, with plant-based protein.
Hi, Ayla, thanks for sharing! I really relate to what you said about food being tied to culture and comfort. I think that’s such an important point that often gets overlooked in conversations about sustainability. It’s true that people in wealthier countries tend to eat more meat because they can afford the costs associated with its production, but it’s not always easy to change eating habits that are deeply rooted in tradition and identity. I also grew up eating meat regularly in my culture, so cutting back has been a gradual process for me. I’ve found that trying plant-based versions of familiar dishes helps a lot because we are not necessarily giving up parts of our culture, but adapting it. Finding that balance between environmental impact, personal health, and cultural connection is definitely a challenge, but I think even small changes can make a difference.
Due to the disappointment of not being able to find any information on the environmental friendliness of hotels online, I wanted to find other ways that people could travel sustainably. After having a conversation with Tamar, I remembered that during high school, my school was in an association that organized tournaments for extracurricular activities. To participate in these tournaments, we would have to travel to the other schools, and instead of booking hotel rooms for all of us, the host school families would open their homes to the students. Being able to stay with a local in a new city enriched my experience of the place because there was someone I could go to for recommendations on restaurants or things to do. With that in mind, I started looking for websites that offered a similar experience for tourists visiting new cities. I found one website called "couchsurfing.com" which allows people to stay at strangers' houses free of charge, so long as they open their house to strangers as well. In order to see available listings, members must purchase a subscription of $5 a month or $20 a year, and then they can contact people listed as available for the dates they are interested in and start a conversation about themselves and ask them if they can stay with them. I think this concept can improve the sustainability of tourism because when I stay in someone's home, I am less likely to enter the state of hyperconsumerism that I often experience when I stay in a hotel. Generally, tourists will be more conscious of their consumption, waste, and use of utilities if they have a mutual respect and personal connection with the host. In addition, since hotels and other accommodations rarely provide things such as stoves and cutlery, people tend to buy take out which comes with lots of single-use plastics. There are also downsides to this because there is a risk of danger when staying in a stranger’s home, especially for vulnerable communities such as disabled or younger travelers. Therefore, while this may be a deterrent for certain travelers, Couchsurfing and other similar platforms are a great option to consider for those who are willing and able.
Before completing this challenge, I thought that 'use by' and 'best by' dates were hard deadlines on when a food would stop being edible. After doing some research, I found out that neither of these dates is actually a safety deadline, rather, they indicate when the food is at its peak texture, quality and taste. Learning about what these dates actually mean is important because it will help me not waste food. Instead of directly throwing food that is past its date, it is important to check the food to see if it is still safe to eat so as to reduce food waste and save money. After learning more about this, I feel like it is an important topic to bring up to my roommates so that we are all on the same page and can work together to reduce our food waste.
My roommate and I made a tomato sauce and spinach ravioli. Usually, when we make dinner, we will add some sort of meat as a protein, such as chicken or ground beef. Today, we decided to make our meal without meat because the ravioli already has a balanced flavor when paired with the tomato sauce. We added some spinach to make sure we were eating some vegetables and getting our fiber and vitamins. This meal was really tasty and easy to make, while also feeling lighter in my stomach compared to when we made it with meat in the past. I can modify this dish by using different vegetables instead of the spinach, such as zucchini or mushrooms. (The picture was taken before spinach was added)
Hi Ayla, That looks amazing! As I read your post, I realized that I also often find myself feeling like I need to add meat to my meal in order for it to be balanced, when in reality, adding protein in other ways and more veggies can create an equally, if not more, balanced meal! I've really loved tofu as a meatless option, or a high-protein yogurt as a post-dinner sweet treat. Thanks for sharing your cooking, it looks delicious!!
Hi Ayla! Your ravioli dish looks delicious! I can totally relate to feeling heavy after a meatier meal so electing for a meatless meal seems like a smart choice. In case it's helpful, I have a few recommendations if you're looking for extra protein in your pasta next time: quinoa pasta helps you get a few extra grams of protein in (and it has a favorable glycemic index, which helps keep your blood sugar from spiking too drastically after eating); cottage cheese when blended with a pasta sauce can make a really delicious and decadent (but not too heavy) creamy tomato sauce that also has a lot of protein! Let me know if you try any of these! I'll bet Tik Tok has a few recipes you could glance at too if you need a quick refresher! Way to eat green :)
I was curious to find out if travelers could be more environmentally conscious by researching what environmentally friendly practices hotels are implementing. I was hoping that having this information available would help people make environmentally conscious decisions, such as preferring a hotel that uses captured rainwater for gardening over a hotel that does not. However, when I went to look at the hotels' amenities, they only mentioned things such as whether there was a pool or not, while failing to mention where the water in the pool comes from. This was discouraging for me because they had posted information that felt unnecessary and outdated, such as the fact that they have free WiFi, while failing to mention any environmentally friendly practices, which could potentially set them apart from other hotels. For me, the best part of traveling is getting to experience a new culture and landscape, but the way that the tourism industry operates is environmentally unsustainable and culturally homogenous. It teaches us, as tourists, that we should value superficial symbols of class and luxury such as pools, hot tubs, and bedding that is refreshed every day. While a hotel incites a sense of reliability in travelers, hotels do not give people the opportunity to get a real sense of the place they are visiting; a room at the Hilton in Buenos Aires looks the same as a room at the Hilton in New Orleans or Istanbul. Even smaller boutique hotels are not listing any actions they are taking to fight climate change. I was hoping I could diminish my carbon footprint while traveling by being responsible when choosing my hotel, but it seems that most hotels are not considering the impact they are having on the local environment.
JEREMY SCHWARTZ 6/04/2025 4:46 PMHello Ayla! It's nice to hear that you were able to experience various sets of large trees around California, since you didn't experience the same growing up in Turkiye. I can relate to your experiences in the Botanical Gardens, as reading descriptions of the diverse flora in the gardens helped me to understand the lifestyle of the native Tongva tribe as far as their diet and sociocultural connection to nature.
