April 1 - April 30, 2020

Thomas Fletcher

"“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear.” - Joanna Macy"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,013 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

50

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

228

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

520

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

861

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

861

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Thomas 's actions

Food

Permaculture Garden

I will plant and maintain a garden that includes edible produce using principles of permaculture that I am learning.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

People

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 2 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Local Climate Issues

I will spend at least 15 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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Oceans

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Thomas Fletcher 4/30/2020 6:43 PM

This has been a fun and productive EcoChallenge, despite the limitations due to Covid-19. I've taken some practical actions and learned a number of things I otherwise would not have. I've initiated some new positive habits that I see no reason why I cannot continue. It's been enjoyable to read the reflections of my teammates on the actions they have taken. And appreciative of consideration and inclusion of activities related directly to Covid-19. The best to all who have participated.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Fresh Water Conserve Toilet Water

What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

Thomas Fletcher 4/22/2020 6:53 PM

I'm pretty sure that climate change models indicate that rainfall will generally increase in my area in the coming decades. That means more torrential rains (many associated with hurricanes of increasing power) and flooding are likely major consequences.

Even when these events are not taking place, we could use what might be abundant water resources more effectively. One example is storm water runoff - instead of letting it simply flow off of streets and into runoff pipes where it then flows into streams and rivers and eventually to the ocean, it could be utilized better by having it soak into the land or water yards and gardens. County Extension offices where I live have programs to help homeowners build rain gardens exactly for this purpose.

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- Louisa Lubiak 4/22/2020 7:03 PM
  
  Rain gardens are awesome in more ways than one - they're beautiful as well as practical!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
People Connect While Social Distancing

How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

Thomas Fletcher 4/12/2020 7:01 PM

During this time of social distancing, connecting with others is not something that we can simply take for granted. Instead it almost requires that we find creative ways to connect.

Zoom, Meetup, Goto, and Facetime are being used more and more, not only because we can talk, but because we can see each other. I've had two meetings today, one as part of my Pachamama Gamechanger Initiative workshop small group which involves international linkage and one with family. Yesterday, I participated in a zoom Passover Seder.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate Local Climate Issues

In what ways is your local community resilient to shock events like we’ve experienced recently? How could you help it become more resilient?

Thomas Fletcher 4/11/2020 1:41 PM

Durham city and county and surrounding areas seem like fairly vibrant places when it comes to building community resilience and working towards justice and equity even though those might not be the first things many people involved think of. There has been an active farm-to-table network in the area for quite some time with many local small farms, farmers markets, CSAs, and locally produced foods in restaurants. At the other end of the continuum, the mayor and city council are thinking and planning more comprehensively related to addressing the climate crisis.

I'm finding that I've been able to combine work that I am involved with in the community with some of the actions in this ecochallenge - each reinforces my motivation to take action. For example, this challenge is about communicating with my local network about what I am learning about and actions I am taking.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans Smart Seafood Choices

Many 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?

Thomas Fletcher 4/07/2020 7:04 PM

I primarily eat vegan, but occasionally eat fish. It is helpful to consider the fish one is considering consuming for reasons of health, both personal and environmental. When you buy fish at the market or in a restaurant, you might ask: "where was this fish caught" and "how it was caught." Getting answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to buy or eat it.

The Marine Stewardship Council website (https://www.msc.org/home) provides good information on a full range of ocean caught fish. There is also fish eating advisory for fresh water sources in locations like North Carolina too. They indicate there are a number of rivers and sounds that have fish advisories related to pollutants like mercury, PCBs, and coal ash. These are in various locations around the state, but there are also waterways with no fish eating advisories.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

Thomas Fletcher 4/05/2020 7:14 PM

The current conventional or industrial food system relies on a complex system of moving food over long distances. While this might be necessary for some products that are not available in some regions, this is not the case for movement of the same types of produce between regions. Keeping production local increases sovereignty over food within each community as well as reduces the food miles that use tremendous amounts of energy needlessly.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience Spend Time Outside

Rachel 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?

Thomas Fletcher 4/01/2020 6:48 PM

Getting outdoors for daily walks through the neighborhood is wonderful relief from the "stay at home" Covid-19 directive. Fun to check out the yards for ideas and talk (from a distance) to neighbors doing various yard projects. Looking forward to more time outside in my yard doing the same thing.

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