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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Joe Mathieu's avatar

Joe Mathieu

Mace North America Green Team

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,129 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    12
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    168
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    8.0
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    480
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    480
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    8.0
    pounds
    waste composted

Joe's actions

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.

COMPLETED 7
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Learn about Our Oceans

I will spend at least 10 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

Oceans

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will host or participate in a trash pickup at a local river or beach that follows the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

Climate

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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

Forests

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

People

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 45 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

Fresh Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

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
    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?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/30/2020 12:01 PM
    The spirit thrives outdoors - communing with something greater than yourself and greater than the human-made environment.  

    Fresh air in the lungs and proper sunlight on the skin (in moderation) brings an irreplicable inner warmth.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Forests Forest-Friendly Foods
    How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/30/2020 11:57 AM
    Palm oil removal = easy.
    Coffee and cocoa, not possible for me - I'm only human.  Best alternate is to us responsibly sourced products.

  • Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/28/2020 11:01 AM
    Spending even just a handful of minutes outside rejuvenates so much after sitting in front of a screen and 'attending' virtual calls.

  • 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?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/26/2020 7:25 PM
    Finding creative ways to hand carry items is a first step, but keeping a washable folding nylon bag handy for those unexpected large shopping events., 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Fresh Water Conserve Toilet Water
    What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/26/2020 7:22 PM
    Sustainable water would reduce draw down on the aquifer and prevent salt water intrusion.  Rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling for irrigation, and/or desalination impact fees would need to be added to new construction requirements.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Forests Use a Reusable Mug
    Maybe 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?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/26/2020 7:19 PM
    I don't see this as difficult, just getting in the habit of getting a cup before leaving for work and washing it in the evening when I get home.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Climate Choose LED Bulbs
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/26/2020 7:18 PM
    Limiting the amount of light used and duration of use.  Only light path as needed, don't let light escape up to the night sky - eliminate light pollution.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Compost Food Waste
    New 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?

    Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/23/2020 12:13 PM
    Definitely notice the filling of the kitchen compost bin before taking it out to the yard bin.   
    I use compost as a base soil and nutrient source when planting trees and shrubs

  • Joe Mathieu's avatar
    Joe Mathieu 4/15/2020 8:49 AM
    Going well, but would have liked to get points for the composting I do.