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Welcome to Earth Day Ecochallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Day Ecochallenge expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
Earth Day Ecochallenge
April 1 - April 30, 2020
Emily Dupas's avatar

Emily Dupas

FGCU Eagles

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 287 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    145
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    750
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    15
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    3.0
    documentaries
    watched
  • UP TO
    15
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    2.0
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    20
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Emily's actions

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

People

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 3 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

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!).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Earth Day Together!

Earth Day Action: Research and Support Local Organizations

I will spend 60 minutes researching local organizations and businesses in my community, then support one of them by writing a testimonial or positive review, ordering curbside, making a donation to my favorite nonprofit, or supporting them in another way.

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Say No to Plastic Straws

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 5 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 3 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

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 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?
    Emily Dupas's avatar
    Emily Dupas 4/10/2020 9:19 AM
    Whenever I go to the grocery store, I always try to remember at least one of my reusable bags, depending on my shopping list. If unfortunately I don't have my bag, depending on what I buy, I usually will purchase another reusable bag, carry it out in my hands, use a paper bag instead of plastic, or I would ask to try to put everything into a single bag to reduce waste. A system that I try to use is keeping my bags in my car or on a hook where I keep my purse. These are places where I'll notice them so that I hopefully remember to bring them!
    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?
    Emily Dupas's avatar
    Emily Dupas 4/10/2020 9:17 AM
    The animal that I decided to research was the sloth because I've always found it to be so cute and interesting. An interesting fact that I learned is that most sloths are herbivores, excluding some two-toed sloths which eat insects and small reptiles. Another fact I learned was that two-toed sloths are nocturnal, while three-toed sloths are diurnal. My favorite thing that I learned about this animal is that I only leaves the trees once a week to go to the bathroom on the ground!
    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?
    Emily Dupas's avatar
    Emily Dupas 4/10/2020 9:07 AM
    Connecting with others helps us as humans mentally because we need social interaction to feel fulfilled. In other situations, sometimes people are going through things and they need people to talk to and it's always good to reach out and connect with others, especially during rough times. 
    Read More