Ali Burk
"My mission is to learn about the day-to-day things we can all do to increase sustainability."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 688 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO7.0milestraveled by foot
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UP TO19poundswaste composted
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UP TO30minutesspent learning
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UP TO8.4pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO1,020minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO7.0milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO1,260minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO24disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO18meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Ali's actions
Wildlife
Research a Wild Animal
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about a wild animal I find interesting, including their life cycle, habitat, ecosystem functions, and interactions with humans (if any!).
Food
Compost Food Waste
I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.
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
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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.
Climate
Use Muscle Power
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.
Forests
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area while following CDC guidelines for social distancing.
Forests
Use a Reusable Mug
If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.
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 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?
Ali Burk 4/10/2020 8:52 AMSustainable seafood choices is not something I had ever considered and through research, I learned that some of my favorite seafood is not sustainable. Going forward, I will reduce my consumption of these foods and ensure that when I eat them, they are from sustainable sources. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONForests Explore My AreaHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?
Ali Burk 4/10/2020 8:28 AMI have found that spending a lot of time indoors has a negative effect on both my mental and physical health. By spending time outdoors, I feel my sense of both self and sense of place enhanced by reinforcing my relationship with the world around me. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONClimate Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Ali Burk 4/10/2020 8:28 AMI have found that I am far more aware of my natural surrounding when I walk. When driving, I find myself so focused on safety and the road in front of me (especially in DC/Virginia traffic) that I can't focus any of my attention on the people and nature around me.-
Katherine Coffelt 4/10/2020 9:46 AMI totally agree Ali!
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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?
Ali Burk 4/09/2020 11:21 AMA connection with the outside world is crucial to development. Without nature, humans wouldn't exist, but without humans, nature would prosper. It's important to maintain connection with the natural world to cultivate due feelings of respect and admiration for the world around us. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsWhy do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Ali Burk 4/09/2020 9:16 AMI have found my go-to meals for breakfast are naturally vegetarian, and at lunch it is relatively easy to go vegetarian. Dinner has been a bit trickier. My next goal is to transition one meal a day (breakfast or lunch) to completely vegan! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONForests Use a Reusable MugMaybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?
Ali Burk 4/09/2020 9:10 AMIt has not been hard to use reusable mugs when working from home, the tricky part will be transitioning to reusable mugs in the office. While at home, I have worked to only use reusable Keurig filters instead of the K-cups that create so much plastic waste! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Compost Food WasteNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Ali Burk 4/09/2020 9:08 AMI am noticing that I am composting so much food! I have had to take my compost bin outside multiple times a day and didn't realize how much I was throwing away that should be composted. -
Ali Burk 4/08/2020 6:08 AMI've found some of the research-based one-time activities are fun 10 minute breaks throughout the day. I wish there was a better way to track partial completion of one-time activities because I'd rather do the research in pieces instead of all at once! -
Ali Burk 4/07/2020 6:05 AMWhat is everyone doing to get outside and away from screens while we're all working from home? -
Ali Burk 4/03/2020 12:59 PMWhat are some custom challenges you added to your activities? Looking for more small ways to live sustainably!