Ben Austin
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 200 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO24gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO170minutesspent learning
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UP TO30minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO30minutesnot spent in front of a screen
Ben's actions
Action Track: Building Resilience
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.
Climate
Local Climate Issues
I will spend at least 20 minute(s) a day researching climate issues or climate solutions in my local area and share with others through my team feed, social media, or conversations with my peers.
Oceans
Learn about Our Oceans
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.
Oceans
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Food
Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Wildlife
Research a Wild Animal
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).
Fresh Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Fresh Water
Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement
I will spend at least 30 minutes a day using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.
Wildlife
Research Benefits of Biodiversity
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.
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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REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlife Research a Wild AnimalWhat interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?
Ben Austin 4/30/2020 11:59 PMCoatimundi's are relatives of racoons that live in Centeral America, South America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. You'll often see them in groups and they have really large tails There name comes from the tupian people. I think they look kind of funny with their smushed long racoon like faces and big tails. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Spend Time OutsideRachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?
Ben Austin 4/30/2020 11:55 PMI think we miss out on a lot if we don't go outside. The world is beautiful and there is so much to explore. I love going camping, hiking, kayaking, etc because I get to see interesting places, plants, animals, etc. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Learn the Truth About Expiration DatesHow does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Ben Austin 4/30/2020 11:53 PMBest buy, use by, and sell by are not required dates that the government enforces. Most food labeling is voluntary and companies do it mostly to highlight when the product will taste the best not when its really bad for you to eat it. This leads to a lot of food being wasted. Its better to use your own judgement about when to throw out food like if it has mold growth on it, checking the temperature, see if ingridents list lists things that prevent bacterial growth, etc. Work is being done in the industry to change food labels.
Best buy: useally means when the company thinks the product will have the best flavor
Sell by: manufacturers use this to ensure proper turnover and movement of a prodcut throughout its life heading to the store, through storage, on shelves, etc.
Use by: marks the last recomended day for the product.
Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2016/12/17/usda-what-do-sell-by-and-best-if-used-by-food-labels-really-mean/#3f708e03e684
https://www.forbes.com/sites/eustaciahuen/2017/06/30/foodlabels/#60c77cd05936
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/food-labeling/food-product-dating/food-product-dating -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlife Research Benefits of BiodiversityHow can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?
Ben Austin 4/30/2020 11:40 PMBiodiversity is a gerneral term to describe all of the living species in evironments around Earth. There is enormous variety between different species and this variety is very important as ecosystems with more biodiversity tend to have great locations for plant growth and every species in a biodiverse ecosystem works together through food chains and sybiotic relationships to thrive. Biodiverse hotspots also have endemic species which only live in certain places and it's important to protect those kinds of animals espceially. Theres lots more species that can be discovered and its important to protect biodiversity.
Source: nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biodiversity/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONOceans Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Ben Austin 4/30/2020 10:53 PMSmart Seafood Choice was a very useful website. I will use it whenever I want to get new seafood so I can find out what products are the most sustainable. -
Ben Austin 4/25/2020 1:32 AMSmart Seafood Choice was a very useful website. I will use it whenever I want to get new seafood so I can find out what products are the most sustainable. -
Ben Austin 4/21/2020 11:21 PMI watched this interesting ted talk about water issues in Guanajuato Mexico. https://youtu.be/6P8u19KTLVY