Flossie Erben
"Mission Statement"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 557 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO4.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO2.0conversationswith people
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UP TO9.0disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO2.0documentarieswatched
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UP TO264gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO3.0lightbulbsreplaced
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UP TO245minutesspent learning
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UP TO5.3poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO11pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO4.0public officials or leaderscontacted
Flossie's actions
Wildlife
Research a Wild Animal
I will spend at least 2 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).
Action Track: Building Resilience
Connect While Social Distancing
I will connect with at least 2 person/people a day through phone call or video chat to support mine and other’s mental and emotional health during this challenging time.
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.
People
Earth Day Action: Share Eco Tips
Through social media or on the Earth Day Ecochallenge feed, I will share my favorite environmentally friendly habit with my friends, even if it’s not an Earth Day action.
Climate
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Forests
Trail Clean up
I will organize or participate in a trail clean up effort.
Forests
Use a Reusable Mug
If possible, I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.
Oceans
Learn about Our Oceans
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.
Forests
Advocate for Forest Protection
I will contact 4 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and improves their ability to sequester carbon and nourish biodiversity.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 2 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.
Wildlife
Support Pollinators
At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators, including monarch butterflies, to produce fruit. I will spend 15 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.
Fresh Water
Dishwasher Efficiency
I will scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher and only run the dishwasher when it’s full.
Fresh Water
Water-Friendly Beauty Products
Avoid beauty products with micro beads or harsh chemicals that will feed into the ground and your water supply.
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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Flossie Erben 4/30/2020 12:40 PMAs I reflect back on this month and challenge, I realized that this was a good way to find small, daily changes that could make a real difference. I also was able to get some letters written to politicians, pull my kids into helping and I really enjoyed the sharing. I wish I would've signed up earlier than half way through the month.
Thanks Teresa & Krista!-
Teresa Broadus 4/30/2020 1:06 PMVery cool, Flossie -- I agree, we should've gotten started earlier! Next year!
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Flossie Erben 4/23/2020 9:42 AMFor my favorite Eco Tip - Attach the leg/foot end of a pair of pantyhose to the water output of your washing machine to help catch microplastics from fabric entering the water systems.-
Flossie Erben 4/23/2020 12:55 PMYes, you can see... it's like any filter, it's all icky. It catches other stuff too (feathers from my pillowcases, etc).
On replacing, it depends on what I'm washing. We replace it every couple of months, like your furnace filters. If I'm doing bedding, etc I need to do it sooner. -
Teresa Broadus 4/23/2020 11:39 AMThis is crazy --- do you actually see the microplastics when you replace? -
Debbie Tuckness 4/23/2020 11:03 AMHow often do you have to replace it?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONOceans Learn about Our OceansWhat is one way in which oceans support your life on Earth? What is one way you can help take care of ocean health with your actions?
Flossie Erben 4/21/2020 2:18 PMThe ocean influences weather and climate by storing solar radiation, distributing heat and moisture around the globe, and driving weather systems. It is a huge impact on all human life. The best thing that we can do is to help reduce our greenhouse emissions...-
Debbie Tuckness 4/22/2020 8:12 AMWe have a monthly subscription with 4Oceans, My daughter gets bracelet that every month made of beads created from recycled plastic that they pull out of the ocean. It's a fun easy way to contribute to removing the ocean pollution.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWildlife Support PollinatorsWhy is it important to take care of pollinators?
Flossie Erben 4/15/2020 3:48 PMWow... I was quite surprised to find out that Monarch butterflies, which is a key pollinator for the US only lays their eggs on Milkweed and their larvae feast on milkweed.
Guess I'll be looking to see if I can get some planted... -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Weekly Meal PlanningAn average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money?
Flossie Erben 4/15/2020 10:40 AMI don't think it surprises me, but it's definitely something for us to work on. I have started meal planning, especially with the shut down as it is more complicated.
I'd rather use the money to save for my kids' college.