Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

October 1 - October 31, 2023

Amanda Smith

Randall/CTL

"Excited for another month of the eco challenge and learning new things."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,226 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

34

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1,510

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

34

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

1.0

women, BIPOC, and immigrant-owned businesses

supported
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

255

minutes

spent learning

Amanda's actions

Industry

Properly Dispose of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

Refrigerant Management

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME 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

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 10 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Visit the Coast

Macroalgae Protection and Restoration

I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Cook With Seaweed

Seaweed Farming

I will use seaweed in a new recipe.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, POC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 20 minutes researching and shopping from 2 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Food Waste

Reduced Food Waste

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.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

How close is the nearest climate-friendly supermarket to your home? How could you encourage local supermarket to reduce or phase out their use of HFC refrigerants?

Amanda Smith 10/29/2023 10:37 AM

The closest climate friendly supermarket is about 30 miles away. I wish there was more companies out there that used climate friendly practices. It doesn't seem like any supermarkets would be phasing out there HFC refrigerants anytime soon but we can try brining it to there attention and explain to them the benefits of not using HFG refrigerants.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

Amanda Smith 10/22/2023 11:15 AM

They would need to have proper laws in place to protect lands prices going to high and to protect people that are already living in these communities so they can stay living where they are and not being pushed out of their homes because they cant afford to live there anymore.

Read More
Amanda Smith 10/18/2023 7:57 PM

Loving the challenge and hoping I keep up these goals after the challenge is over and continue to learn how to be more environmentally friendly.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn About Cattle Farming

What did you learn from visiting or researching a dairy farm?

Amanda Smith 10/17/2023 12:43 PM

If it is done improperly it can have a big negative impact on the environment. The antibodies used to keep the cattle safe can emit more greenhouse gases that are bad for the environment and humans.

Read More
Amanda Smith 10/16/2023 4:17 PM

I have enjoyed finding new meatless options and trying different meals.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Amanda Smith 10/15/2023 4:16 PM

I feel like my mind has been clearer by taking time out of my day to go on a walk and be productive in that time rather than just sitting and looking at my phone for those 10 minutes. I prefer to walk in the woods and tree areas and dirt paths.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

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?

Amanda Smith 10/15/2023 4:14 PM

Meat is typically more expensive than plant based diets so when people have more money they are able to consume more higher end meats and more meat in general. If the animals that we eat aren't being raised properly it can be very bad for the environment. If choosing to consume meat it is best if possible to buy from the source and from a local butcher.

Read More
- Kanee Hutchinson 10/16/2023 11:14 AM
  
  Buying local is a good start but buying from a grass fed, regenerative farm is even better! I love Source Farms in Yamhill, they have a great selection of meat, eggs, seafood, etc. and it's nice to support a local, sustainable business!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about Biochar

Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

Amanda Smith 10/15/2023 4:10 PM

IT can help decrease groundwater pollution which can help with lower water use costs which can than can contribute to lower food prices and less waist.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?

Amanda Smith 10/14/2023 9:31 PM

It allows you to rest your mind and get away from all the craziness of life. It gives you space to connect with nature and yourself. It reminds you there is so much more out there than just your home and place of work .

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Cook With Seaweed

What recipe did you make and how did it turn out? Will you cook with seaweed again?

Amanda Smith 10/14/2023 9:29 PM

I made a sushi bowl with all types of veggies and seaweed . Very delicious and love adding seaweed to my meals

Read More