Ecochallenge.org

Earth Day Ecochallenge

April 1 - April 30, 2020

Joe Mattocks

EWS

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,210 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

190

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

264

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

4.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

48

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

48

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

260

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

607

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

587

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

72

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

198

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Joe's actions

Action Track: Earth Day Together!

Earth Day Action: Research and Support Local Organizations

I will spend 10 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

Seek Alternative Gifts and Souvenirs

Bringing home unique souvenirs from trips you’ve enjoyed is meaningful, and giving people unique gifts from other places is fun. Seek souvenirs and gifts that support local communities and do not cause harm to the environment or wildlife.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 4 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 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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

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

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

Action Track: Building Resilience

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 10 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

Action Track: Building Resilience

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 5 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

Action Track: Building Resilience

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 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

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?

Joe Mattocks 4/30/2020 2:20 PM

This challenge was fun and went great!

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Joe Mattocks 4/29/2020 1:00 PM

This year's challenge has been great. I've learned how much can be effectively accomplished from home during a pandemic while making a huge impact on our planet.

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Joe Mattocks 4/28/2020 1:20 PM

This challenge has reminded me to be more conscientious of my daily actions. I've learned a lot through the one-time challenges too.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Joe Mattocks 4/28/2020 1:18 PM

Knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates can prevent us from wasting huge amounts of food every day and each year. "Best by" indicates when a product will be of the best flavor or quality. "Use by" indicates the last date recommended for use of a product, usually printed on meat, poultry, or eggs. I will avoid throwing out food using the "Best by" and "Sell by" dates because these dates do not indicate food has gone bad.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience 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 Mattocks 4/28/2020 1:11 PM

Nature plays a big role in spiritual and emotional development. Being outdoors is calming, gives time for reflection, and allows us to connect to something bigger than ourselves. Cultures that spend most time indoors have the potential to become less connected from others, natures, and the impact we have on the world.

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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?

Joe Mattocks 4/28/2020 1:07 PM

One easy way to advocate against bottling practices of water corporations is to NOT purchase water in plastic bottles. Also, use reusable water bottles and encourage others to do the same. When buying a gift, give a reusable water bottle!

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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 Mattocks 4/28/2020 1:05 PM

I think one important thing we all can easily do is turn off the lights and unplug cords from outlets. Did you know that when you leave a cord plugged into a wall socket, it uses electricity even when it's not in use? Another way to reduce carbon emissions is to choose to drive over flying.

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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?

Joe Mattocks 4/28/2020 12:59 PM

Polar Bears are one of the most endangered animals. Interesting facts about them include they are considered marine animals because they spend most of their life on the sea life of the Arctic Ocean. Because of the ongoing and potential loss of their sea ice habitat resulting from climate change, polar bears are listed as a threatened species in the US under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008. Their closest relative is the brown bear. They have 42 sharp teeth which they use for their highly carnivorous diet which is usually the ringed seal. They are excellent swimmers and can usually swim for days, swimming 6 miles per hour. These beautiful white bears rarely live beyond 25 years.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience Use Muscle Power

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

Joe Mattocks 4/27/2020 7:27 PM

Transportation choices affect our engagement with our community because it determines how much interaction we have with each other. On a bus, two people can share a conversation, or even listening to others talking can make us feel connected. I find walking to be the most enjoyable because we have time to observe what's happening around us. Biking is great in a different way but also gives us more time to connect with nature around us. Driving allows the least time to take in what's happening outside the car but it can give you a quiet place to reflect after a long day.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Building Resilience Connect While Social Distancing

How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

Joe Mattocks 4/27/2020 7:22 PM

Connecting with others helps our own mental and emotional health because it stimulates thinking and happy emotions. It prevents us from feeling isolated and allows us the opportunity to share experiences with each other.

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