Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Meghan Jones

WSP USA Ecochallengers

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
871 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

142

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

65

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

79

conversations

with people

Meghan's 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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

People

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day while following the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate

Calculate Personal Carbon Footprint

Complete your personal carbon footprint calculator. Go to www.wsppact.com and answer the questions for each section. The process takes about 10 minutes. Details about your utility bills and travel will be required. Please be as accurate as you can, but it’s not required to search for receipts.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Vedge Pledge and Webinar

I challenge you to go veg for a week. Sign up and I will provide you with daily updates during the week of the challenge (April 20th to 25th - send me an email that you want to join at [email protected]) We will have a webinar on Wednesday, April 22nd (Earth Day) at 9am Pacific/noon Eastern about the environmental impacts of food. Join the webinar and/or take the pledge :)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 1 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

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 15 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

Action Track: Earth Day Together!

Earth Day Action: Research and Support Local Organizations

I will spend 5 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

Action Track: Earth Day Together!

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research a Wild Animal

I will spend at least 15 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

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Wildlife

What interesting facts did you learn about the animal you researched? What are some of your favorite things about this animal?
Meghan Jones 4/30/2020 6:46 PM
I spotted one of these beauties in my backyard last week and decided to learn more! Meet the wood thrush. I was so lucky to see one because they are near threatened due to deforestation. Wood thrushes are known for having beautiful songs! Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience

How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?
Meghan Jones 4/30/2020 6:33 PM
I can encourage biodiversity by planting more native pollinators, restarting my backyard compost (currently contaminated by blighted tomato plants), buying organic foods, choosing products not linked to deforestation, and using renewable energy sources.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate

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?
Meghan Jones 4/30/2020 8:44 AM
I'm happy to see that my average energy usage is below average for Illinois! I can reduce electricity usage by limiting use of AC in the summer. I can also reduce the impact of the electricity I do use by enrolling in community solar.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to complete this challenge of enrolling in an alternative energy program. In Oregon, all I had to do was check a box, but in Illinois the process is much lengthier and more complicated! I'm still trying and hope to be hooked up to community solar by the end of May.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Earth Day Together!

What environmentally friendly habit have you most recently implemented? How do you ensure that you are successful in creating or changing a habit?
Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 7:02 PM
My most recent environmentally friendly habit is using a bamboo toothbrush. It was a little weird at first, but I will never go back to plastic!

Usually I am most successful in creating habits when I can find ways to reduce the "activation energy." Examples:
- Keeping reusable flatware in your bag so it's there whenever you go out.
- Pumping tires and packing clothes the night before you plan to commute by bike.

I'd love to read suggestions from other team members!

Read More
- Melanie Lulue 4/30/2020 5:56 AM
  Hello Meghan, I'm always looking for ways to respect Mother Earth and the makers of the stainless steel tumblers have become my best friend. They are awesome for cold and hot drinks and I have a few. lol I started using one recently for my smoothies and it was like an epiphany when I started using it. I had a reusable plastic cup that I used for its size for smoothies and recently it had a hole (not sure how, but I've had it for years) so in a panic since it was leaking I grabbed one of my tumblers! Keeps it cold, has a lid, and a straw and all are reusable. Little things can have such a huge impact on Mother Earth! Keep well and keep safe! (My latest purchase I'm using this morning for water - Winter lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and yes, I've seen her and her friends, Hope and Nicholas and it was truly magical).
  
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Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 6:52 PM
My favorite environmentally friendly habit is bringing my own flatware to avoid single-use plastics! I usually bring cloth napkins, too.

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- Melanie Lulue 4/30/2020 5:57 AM
  My lunch bag is filled with reusable containers and real silverware. I love having "adult" size utensils. LOL
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Earth Day Together!

Why is it important to support local organizations and businesses? How does it help to build a more resilient community?
Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 6:50 PM
By supporting local businesses, you are supporting your neighbors who are invested in the community. Local businesses also tend to have smaller carbon footprints since they operate on a smaller scale.

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- Melanie Lulue 4/30/2020 5:58 AM
  So true and our neighbors need us now more than ever!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans

What is one way in which oceans support your life on Earth? What is one way you can help take care of ocean health with your actions?
Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 6:34 PM
One of the many ways that the ocean supports life on Earth is by supporting phytoplankton, which contribute most of the oxygen in our atmosphere. I live far from the ocean, but I can take care of ocean health by limiting the use of plastics, picking up litter, and buying organic produce to reduce contaminants.

Read More
- Melanie Lulue 4/30/2020 6:00 AM
  It is heartbreaking to see the amount of trash including plastic at the local beaches. There are garbage cans available every so many feet and they are maintained. NO excuse to litter, just people being lazy!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Fresh Water

What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 6:13 PM
I live in an agricultural area, and prominent water concerns include contamination of groundwater quality by chemicals used in farming.

This challenge involved planting native species, which can reduce runoff, protect water supplies from pollutants, avoid the need for fertilizers, and protecting biodiversity. We already had some native plants in our yard, so I used this as an opportunity to remove by hand the invasive species that were threatening the native ones.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How does food impact your carbon footprint?
Meghan Jones 4/29/2020 5:59 PM
In addition to emissions from meat and dairy production food waste makes a big impact on carbon footprint. I love the cookbook Scraps, Wilt + Weeds, which provides tips on how to use edible items that are often discarded!

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Meghan Jones 4/23/2020 7:23 PM
It's been a tough week for me for completing challenges. I'm grateful that Julie's vedge pledge has allowed me to make a difference even when I can't do anything else! Just finished Day 4 of eating vegan, and I've been surprised at how easy it's been.

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- Meghan Jones 4/30/2020 8:48 AM
  Agreed, Krista, I feel much better prepared. Melanie, I am a legume lover and usually enjoy beans and nuts for protein. I'm afraid that's not very helpful! Some non-legume, protein-packed veggies I enjoy are broccoli and avocados. Do you have any good quinoa recipes to share?
  
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- Melanie Lulue 4/30/2020 6:08 AM
  What have you been using as a source of protein? I have to limit legumes. I'm starting to use quinoa more and really like it. I am going more vegetarian since I don't always want animal protein, but have limited dairy I can eat (cheese, Greek yogurt, and eggs). I'm trying to get back in my salad habits. It's crazy, I love them, but making them isn't my favorite thing to do, but I always enjoy eating them. My sister and I used to joke about having a salad bar in the house if someone else kept it replenished. lol
  
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- Krista Pritchett 4/30/2020 6:01 AM
  I was eating vegan during the Vedge Pledge as well! Now, I feel better equipped to add veggie-only meals into my everyday diet. What about you?
  
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