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April 1 - April 30, 2020
Sierra Nguyen's avatar

Sierra Nguyen

San José State University

""The Earth is what we all have in common.""

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,238 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    29
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    252
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    lightbulb
    replaced
  • UP TO
    335
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    45
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    42
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Sierra'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

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

Wildlife

Leave No Trace

I will respect and protect biotic communities by practicing the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Food

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

People

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

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 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Take short showers

I will only shower no more than once a day, and each time is limited to 5 minutes (using a sand clock attached on the wall in the shower).

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Wildlife

Research Benefits of Biodiversity

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how biodiversity positively impacts our world and how the loss of biodiversity harms it.

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

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

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

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 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?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 1:45 PM
    I saw raccoon knocking on the front door of my house in the woods at night before, so researching about them is fun. They are nocturnal, so they may come to your backyard at night to look for some food. They enjoy pet food too! As much as it's tempting for me to feed them when I see them, it's recommended that we don't create any human contact with them to avoid consequences. :( 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    People Earth Day Action: Share Eco Tips
    What environmentally friendly habit have you most recently implemented? How do you ensure that you are successful in creating or changing a habit?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 1:21 PM
    I recently started using DIY solar powered phone charger. One way to enforce this habit is to hide away the regular phone charger, so that I'm relying on this renewable energy source for my power.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Oceans Learn about Our 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?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 1:16 PM
    Oceans act as an enormous carbon sink of this planet and is home to over 200 thousands species. One way I can take care of the ocean is to choose sustainable skin products (sunscreen, lotion) that will not affect the water body when I swim in the ocean.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Oceans Smart Seafood Choices
    Many 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?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 1:13 PM
    At the moment, my seafood choices are not falling within the guidelines; I have been eating the same two types of fish and one type of shrimp for years. I will make an effort to learn more about what I should and should not eat to help sustain the food chain. Changing habits is hard, but I think I'll get it over time.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
    How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 1:06 PM
    Food sovereignty empowers people at a local level to take charge in what they eat. More and more people are growing their own food in the backyard or in community garden where they live. As consumers become more conscious about what they eat, the food industry will need to be more sustainable in their practices to need consumers' need.

  • Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/30/2020 12:23 PM
    Last day of the Earth Day challenge. Finishing strong!!! Keep it up, everyone!

  • Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/28/2020 10:57 PM
    I got a solar-powered phone charger today, so from now on, that will be how I charge my phone!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Forests Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/27/2020 10:16 PM
    Being outdoors helps me see the environment surrounding my living area. I could see nature, the sky, the air, and feel the weather on my walks. 

  • Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/27/2020 10:11 PM
    As far as I can remember, my birthday every year has never been celebrated with balloons, litters, and other decorative things that could potentially harm the environment. And I am proud to keep the it up this year as well!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Wildlife Leave No Trace
    Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?

    Sierra Nguyen's avatar
    Sierra Nguyen 4/27/2020 10:09 PM
    I want to join the effort of educating people about the harms of introducing invasive species to an area. Sometimes, people do that without knowing it and without any bad intentions. Therefore, it's important to make sure they are mindful when being in nature.