Samantha Smith

World Centric

"Seeking to renew and inspire commitment to making the Earth a better place."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
555 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

35

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

60

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

10

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Samantha's actions

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

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

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

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

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research a Wild Animal

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags can be mistaken for food by many wild animals. If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Wildlife

Leave No Trace

I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

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

Fresh Water

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Fresh Water Use a Reusable Water Bottle

Using the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed - both humans and wildlife - by this bottling process?

Samantha Smith 4/22/2020 3:55 PM

I watched the Story of Stuff video on bottled water. I do feel like this issue has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years and many strides have been made to encourage people to use reusable bottles. I thought it was interesting how municipalities have tested their water against bottled water and it turns out the city water is better quality and even tastes better in many cases. I advocate by always having a reusable with me to model behavior and also gently call people out when they're using bottled water.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Leave No Trace

Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?

Samantha Smith 4/21/2020 8:24 AM

My husband has been keeping bees for the last few years and it's getting me more passionate about bees and pollinators in general. I'd like to learn more about pesticides that are used near me in the vineyards to see if there's any correlation between colony collapse. I know the wine industry uses a lot of chemicals but it's not easy to get information since they wouldn't want a backlash in such a vital industry.

Read More
Samantha Smith 4/21/2020 8:12 AM

I went to the store yesterday and asked the bagger to just put items back in my cart, then I bagged them at my car. I can't stand getting any more disposable bags.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
People Support A Sharing Economy

What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

Samantha Smith 4/17/2020 2:33 PM

Last weekend we needed to move a bunch of rocks and dirt and my husband suggested we go out and buy a wheelbarrow. I realized many of our neighbors already had one (plus we have nowhere to put it), so we borrowed one!

Read More
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?

Samantha Smith 4/17/2020 2:32 PM

This definitely rings true for me, if I could choose one or the other, I would always choose the natural world. I've started going on an extra walk without the dog now with the extra time at home.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Samantha Smith 4/17/2020 2:31 PM

We used to get a paper statement for this (thankfully I was finally able to go to paperless!) and we always showed as good for our area. However, most of the houses around us are bigger and two stories so it's probably pretty easy to do better in that sense. With the kids home more now, I am always shutting off lights and I still can't get my husband to turn off his computer at night, it's a work in progress!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Research a Wild Animal

What interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?

Samantha Smith 4/10/2020 12:36 PM

I watched a PBS special on weasels and their family of Mustelids: Stoats, Ferrets, Honey Badgers and Wolverines. They have a unique rib cage that can collapse down to allow them to walk normally in short burrows. I also learned how clever they are: they can use tools and problem-solve to find meals.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Samantha Smith 4/10/2020 12:31 PM

This is tough during the pandemic, but I still bring my bags to the store and bag my groceries myself. It seems like the evidence for the ban is provided by "Big Plastic."

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife Support Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Samantha Smith 4/10/2020 12:30 PM

Our lavender plants are sending up shoots everywhere, so we've been digging them up and replanting them around the yard - great opportunity to get free pollinator plants around the yard!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Forests Forest-Friendly Foods

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Samantha Smith 4/06/2020 1:34 PM

There are so many great companies producing sustainable coffee and chocolate now that this wasn't that hard. I have definitely started looking at the ingredients labels more to avoid palm oil too.

Read More