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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Mackenzie Patterson's avatar

Mackenzie Patterson

University of South Carolina

"Learn and grow for a better future"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 639 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    8.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    8.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    480
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    870
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    870
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    1.0
    public official or leader
    contacted

Mackenzie's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Fresh Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Local Climate Issues

I will spend at least 30 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

Advocate For More Packaging Options

Plastic packaging can clog our water ways and the stomachs of sea creatures. I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 60 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Support A Sharing Economy

To reduce my consumption and waste and support my community, I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Advocate For More Food Options

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for local and/or organic food options in my state and/or community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 15 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

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

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Forests

Forest-Friendly Foods

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

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
    Wildlife Research Benefits of Biodiversity
    How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/07/2020 11:56 AM
    I can avoid using pesticides and herbicides and encourage the growth of native plants. I can purchase heirloom seeds of multiple varieties to avoid monocropping while working with my garden. I can also advocate for others to do the same. I've started getting rid of large portions of lawn at my parents' home to encourage growth of plants that aren't grass. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    People 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?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/03/2020 2:25 PM
    I would agree with that statement. I think I can really feel my smallness when I'm exploring natural areas. Even when I am gardening it becomes more evident. It makes me happier and calmer, but also reminds me of how much we depend on our home to take care of us and protect us. I think in the US we have a major focus on one specific type of success, it is rooted into our culture. That success does not care if you are happy or if you destroy something along the way. It is the reason that we spend so much time inside. I think if we started defining success differently and allowed individuals to truly decide what matters to them rather than continuing the pressure to meet our societal norm, we would see many more people outside.

  • Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/02/2020 7:43 AM
    So far, so good! I've been taking a bit of time out of my schedule every day to educate myself on everything I am attempting to do here. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Forests Forest-Friendly Foods
    How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/02/2020 7:40 AM
    I didn't have much trouble eliminating the problem areas of my diet. I already avoid foods that contain palm oil to the best of my ability and I do not consume coffee. I didn't know about the impacts of cocoa, that surprised me. I do like to drink hot chocolate, but I've eliminated that from my diet.
  • 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?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/01/2020 5:25 PM
    I think my diet choices for the most part follow these guidelines. I need to be watchful of where my seafood is coming from to make sure. I also need to work with my family to stop our tradition of crabbing on the SC coast as we usually catch a few blue crabs for dinner, which does not meet the guidelines.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Advocate For More Food Options
    What efforts would help food insecure regions have access to local, seasonal foods?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/01/2020 5:19 PM
    Building and supporting community gardens and public food forests could help food insecure regions to have regular access to local and seasonal food while also teaching skills needed for self sufficiency in the future. Supporting a sharing economy among neighbors could also help food insecure areas.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Fresh Water Eco-friendly Gardening
    What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/01/2020 5:15 PM
    The most prominent water concerns that I have found for both cities that I live in are water quality/safety and flooding. Greenville has a history of dumping chemicals into our main river, so even though our water quality tests usually come out well, some people remain concerned. That river does tend to flood, leaving water and waste in nearby shops. Columbia is known to flood as well. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife Support Pollinators
    Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

    Mackenzie Patterson's avatar
    Mackenzie Patterson 4/01/2020 5:06 PM
    Pollinators are a large part of a complex chain of events that give us most of our plant based products. They support flowering plants that provide oxygen, purify water, and prevent erosion. They are intelligent and we could learn so much from them. We've planted more Southern Magnolia, Carolina Jessamine, Basil, Zinnia, and Cosmos flowers to support our local pollinators.