Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge 2025

Nora Whitlock

Asheville High School/SILSA

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
406 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

6.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

2.0

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

10

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

15

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

446

minutes

spent learning

Nora's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 25 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn About Aquaculture

Improved Aquaculture

Each day, I will spend at least 45 minutes learning about sustainable aquaculture.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn About Cattle Farming

Improved Cattle Feed; Improved Manure Management

I will spend 65 minutes researching cattle feed and manure management, or visiting a dairy farm to learn about their farming practices.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 44 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 27 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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
Health and Education

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Nora Whitlock 4/30/2025 3:45 PM
I had never heard of family planning before this, so I learned what family planning is. Family planning is a way that helps individuals decide when and if they want kids, and what the best way to do it is. I learned that family planning is really important in poorer and less wealthy countries because it reduces poverty. Some people in poorer and lower-income countries just need protection. Whereas, in the united states and wealthy countries, we just need to stop having as many kids as people are.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

What did you learn about wave and tidal energy? How do they compare to other energy sources?
Nora Whitlock 4/30/2025 11:18 AM
I learned that tidal energy is a smaller source of energy compared to others, but it is the most predictable.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
Nora Whitlock 4/29/2025 12:19 PM
On top of structures, in parks, and on some tall buildings.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?
Nora Whitlock 4/29/2025 12:12 PM
Eating more fruits and vegetables improves my overall health and improves my diet. This shift also supports global food supply by using fewer resources and reduces pollution from animal farming. It also helps protect forests and save water.

Read More
- CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 6:18 PM
  I notice that when I eat more fruits and vegetables, I feel the effects. I feel like I have more energy and do not get overly full like when I eat meat.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.
Nora Whitlock 4/29/2025 12:01 PM
I don't have one specific significant experience in nature that altered my perspective, but I feel like there is just something about being in nature that feels surreal.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

What was the most interesting thing to learn about sustainable aquaculture practices?
Nora Whitlock 4/29/2025 10:52 AM
The most interesting thing that I learned was about the way fish and other seafoods are harvested and grown.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Nora Whitlock 4/29/2025 5:35 AM
On my daily walks, I’ve noticed how peaceful mornings are and how much more I see when I'm walking. I enjoy the fresh air and the mental break it gives me. Walks would be better with wider sidewalks, more shade, and safer crossings.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!
Nora Whitlock 4/24/2025 11:08 AM
No, I had never heard of biomass technology before this. I learned that using manure to create electricity is possible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?
Nora Whitlock 4/23/2025 10:38 AM
Public investment, such as government funding for geothermal power plants.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

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?
Nora Whitlock 4/22/2025 5:57 AM
People in richer countries eat more meat because they can afford it, and it's easy to get at stores and restaurants. Eating a lot of meat can be bad for your health, especially red and processed meats. It also hurts the planet by causing pollution, using a lot of water, and contributing to climate change. When rich countries eat a lot of meat, it uses up land and resources that could help feed people in poorer places.

Read More