

Amy Smith
"To learn about ways to make a better world one small step at a time."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,512 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO106meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO1,597minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO3.3pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO1.0donationmade
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UP TO101more servingsof fruits and vegetables
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UP TO4.0women, BIPOC, and immigrant-owned businessessupported
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UP TO6.0educational videoswatched
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UP TO9.0public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO10advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0storyshared
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UP TO939minutesspent learning
Amy's actions
Electricity
Communicate With My Elected Officials
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 3 elected officials telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Health and Education
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
Family Planning and Education
I will spend at least 64 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Health and Education
Support Businesses Owned by Women, POC, or Immigrants
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 60 minutes researching and shopping from 3 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.
Industry
Research Cement Alternatives
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Industry
Go Paperless
Recycled Paper
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.
Industry
Learn about Carbon Offsets
I will spend 45 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will spend 30 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Industry
Green My Job
Industry
Using Drawdown's Job Function Action Guide, I will learn about climate actions I can take at work.
Health and Education
Watch Drawdown's Climate Solutions 101 Series
Family Planning and Education
I will watch Drawdown’s Climate Solutions 101 and share what I learned with others.
Land Sinks
Advocate for Forest Protection
Forest Protection
I will contact 4 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws, as well as the rights of local people to protect and restore the land in their communities.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Transportation
Express My Support For Walkable Cities
Walkable Cities
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Transportation
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Nutrient Management
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure
I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
More Fruits And Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
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.
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.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 4 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.
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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Amy Smith 10/31/2023 3:18 AMHappy Halloween and last day of challenge I really learned zo much from this about expiration dates, and the need for family planning , to simply learning to enjoy a meal with out gadgets to reflect and sit in peace. We all have to learn to be the change we want to see in the world. To make better choices to give our children and their children a world that is sustainable for many years to come. I will continue to learn about ways to help and do better. great challenge look forward to next.... safe and Happy Halloween to all.. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Education Watch Drawdown's Climate Solutions 101 SeriesWhat was an inspiring thing you learned in Drawdown's Climate Solutions 101 Series?
Amy Smith 10/30/2023 5:15 AMi found it inspiring that drawdowns is the the world’s first major educational effort focused solely on solutions. that's a big deal and makes me want to watch and learn as much as possible. as you realize how much you still have to learn -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth and Education Learn about the Need for Family PlanningWhat did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Amy Smith 10/30/2023 5:13 AMI learned there is a huge need for safe voluntary family planning methods. and how many places do not offer it to women and girls. I think in the us we sometimes forget how readily available resources are schools have health and sex education classes. we have free clinics to talk and get contraceptives'. we don't have to worry about becoming a child bride but that is not the case for so many younger girls and women in other countries who don't have proper education or resources available. -
Amy Smith 10/29/2023 6:57 PMI am sad to see that there is only 2 more days of this challenge I really enjoyed this one and learning so much more then when i started 29 days ago. look forward to the next challenge.. -
Amy Smith 10/29/2023 6:55 PMhttps://www.terracycle.com/en-US/ so tonight as I was reading others feeds I can across this link to other recycling program i started looking through it so many things to be recycled i never knew worth a look at. I love reading others feeds learn so much. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn More about Regenerative AgricultureClean 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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat MindfullyMindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Amy Smith 10/26/2023 3:50 AMI wanted to wait till late in challenge to reflect on this but I can see the difference i slow down more I enjoy my meals it gives me quiet time to reflect on my day and destress. I find a nice peace in this. it lets you take a pause from all the distractions you deal with all day. this was a great way to reflect on things and I think ill carry this over after the challenge as well. i go out and so many times i see a family sitting down to eat and noone is talking everyone has their head down on their phones its missing so much of what the going out to eat should be for to catch up and spend quality time together. It sad most times i see it esp when its younger kids in family. times have for sure changed -
Amy Smith 10/26/2023 3:42 AM2 good uses for your pumpkins after Halloween
Roasted pumpkin seedsWhen you come to carve your pumpkin this year, use the seeds and insides to create nutritious meals and snacks instead of throwing them straight in the bin.
Separate out the seeds before washing them in warm water, drying them with a clean tea towel and roasting them in the oven with sea salt and olive oil.
The seeds take around 15 minutes if roasted at 180C (or 350F) and make a delicious and healthy treat for the whole family.
Toss the seeds every five minutes to avoid browning and allow to cool for 10 minutes on a plate before serving.
Pumpkin soup
As well as using the seeds from your pumpkin, there are plenty of things you can do with the flesh of the pumpkin itself.
Chop it into small even chunks, season with salt, pepper and dried sage and roast with olive oil for 20-25 minutes on 190C (375F).
Once the pieces are out of the oven, you can either serve these as a side dish (they go great with other seasonal vegetables, like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and yams).
Alternatively, why not try combining and blending them with roasted potato pieces, sauteed white onion and some vegetable stock and creating a pumpkin soup.
This works well with spices like cumin, ginger and chilli, especially with some crusty bread for dipping!
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Amy Smith 10/26/2023 3:33 AMGood Morning with Halloween a few days away here are some way to make it more environmentally friendly... good to know and share..You may think one person can’t make a difference, but we need to show our children how to make less of an impact on our universe
Trick or TreatAvoid hard plastic jack-o-lanterns that will never breakdown in a landfill. Instead using tote bags, reusable shopping bags, or a pillow case to collect goodies is an easy way to be environmentally-friendly.
Instead of driving to your trick-or-treat destination, walking will help reduce the number of dangerous pollutants we expel into the atmosphere. Not to mention that it will help burn off the countless calories consumed later that night!
Pumped for Pumpkin
Buy organic and shop local! You’ll protect water and reduce carbon emissions by picking up your pumpkin from your local farm.
Save the seeds and pulp from your pumpkin to make delicious snacks and baked goods. By reusing or composting our unwanted pumpkin parts, we can reduce dangerous greenhouse gases
Conscientious Costumes
Costumes sold at Halloween super-stores are often made of materials like PVC which contain phthalate. These materials may be flame-retardant but they end up in a landfill leaking toxic chemicals into the environment. In fact, extended exposure to these chemicals could have adverse health effects.
Design your own costume using supplies you already have at home! Another way to save some green while going green, create your own hallo-green masterpiece from things around the house. Grades of Green’s Litter Monster is not only a great costume, but is a great way to raise awareness for waste reduction efforts
Choose eco-friendly safety and décor lighting.Safety is a huge priority for an enjoyable Halloween evening. Light the pathway to your front door with LED or solar-powered lamps and use LED flashlights while trick-or-treating. LED light bulbs are more energy efficient, have a longer life span, help you save money on your electricity bills, are non-toxic and greener than other alternatives, and flexible in color and design.If you’re decorating with candles, select fragrance-free soy candles instead of paraffin, which is a petroleum product and releases toxic compounds when burned.
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Amy Smith 10/24/2023 4:43 PMtoday i learned that you can elimate alot of junk mail that comes to your home. like myself i gather many dont relize they can do that. It said 100 billion pieces of junk mail are mailed every year to homes meaning 100 million trees were cut down to make that junk mail. it puts it into perspective by seeing the numbers. I cant tell you how many times i get junk mail and throw it away with out even reading it
you can stop the unsolisited credit card offers that come to your home by going to optoutprescreen,com and to reduce the number of unsolicited catalongs sent to you catalogchoice.org I went to both tonight and did it eveylittle bit we do help.