Avery Thomas

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.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.

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

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

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

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

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

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 spend 30 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

I will complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

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.