This is also a hard question for someone like myself that rents. Decisions on fixtures, rain water storage, irrigation... are all technically out of my control. However, I can change my mindset and my daily water use to counteract: flush less, shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, washing hands, and washing dishes, etc.
Erin Sheehan
"Go Green!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 390 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO15minutesspent learning
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UP TO440minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO440minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO105conversationswith people
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UP TO9.0meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Erin's actions
Climate
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
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!).
Oceans
Advocate For More Packaging Options
Plastic packaging can clog our water ways and the stomachs of sea creatures. I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
Fresh Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Oceans
Learn about Our Oceans
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about how our oceans support life on Earth by producing oxygen, regulating climate, and providing habitat, food, and jobs.
Action Track: Earth Day Together!
Earth Day Action: Research and Support Local Organizations
I will spend 15 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.
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.
Climate
Earth Day Action: Write a Love Letter, Poem, or Song to Earth
I will express my love and gratitude for our Earth by writing a love letter, poem, or song to Earth.
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?
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Erin Sheehan 4/21/2020 5:52 PMI can't believe there is only one week left! I really need to step up my game. I am glad I went through and re-evaluated the available actions to choose from. The Earth Day actions are awesome and can't wait to write a poem for Earth Day tomorrow. I hope everyone has time and space to celebrate even for a brief moment tomorrow. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFresh Water Dishwasher EfficiencyHow can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Erin Sheehan 4/14/2020 10:13 AMThis action is a hard one for me. I was raised to wash dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. I only ever run the dishwasher when full, but I definitely rinse and even scrub before loading... I turn off the tap to scrub though!
This is also a hard question for someone like myself that rents. Decisions on fixtures, rain water storage, irrigation... are all technically out of my control. However, I can change my mindset and my daily water use to counteract: flush less, shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, washing hands, and washing dishes, etc.-
Krista Pritchett 4/30/2020 6:18 AMThis is hard for me as well for all the same reasons you mentioned. Scrubbing dishes without water? oof.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsWhy do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
Erin Sheehan 4/14/2020 9:55 AMLet's talk about how eating meat/ animal products got us to where we are today....
Animals can carry diseases that spread to humans upon consumption. If countries are unable, or unwilling, to screen for this more worldwide illnesses may continue.
I am definitely inspired to decrease my consumption of meat, even further than I have in the past. Though I don't think I will ever fully commit to being vegan or fully vegetarian, I do hope to continue to limit my meat consumption to one meal a day, and no beef. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Connect While Social DistancingHow does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?
Erin Sheehan 4/14/2020 9:50 AMHUMAN INTERACTION IS SO IMPORTANT.
I am lucky to live with someone and a dog and can get a daily dose of human interaction. But in these times of isolation it is important to reach out to those who don't.
I have had more conversations with family and friends during this time than I normally might and it has helped strengthen relationships and rekindle friendships that may have been falling off. Supporting others is essential at this time. Even the silly video conferencing every week has made me miss my coworkers and group at work even more. Working alone is definitely not as enjoyable.... and way less motivating. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Spend Time OutsideRachel 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?
Erin Sheehan 4/14/2020 9:47 AMThere is nothing like taking a break from being cooped up inside, particularly after staring at a screen for hours on end. A literal 'breath of fresh air' makes a crazy difference. Even though I am just taking walks through my neighborhood with my dog, I still am able to appreciate the beauty. Seeing flowers pop up in everyone's gardens, admiring houses I've never seen before, watching my dogs chase squirrels... it's all a much needed break from life indoors. I do agree that this increases emotional and spiritual development. Being in a more open space outside sparks imagination and thought of things outside yourself. -
Erin Sheehan 4/14/2020 9:42 AMWow it has been hard to stay on top of this Challenge while already being distracted by everything at home... I thought it would be easier!
Still trying to check-in and complete my challenges, but don't remember to log in and check the box until days later... oh well. Hope everyone is doing well!-
Meghan Jones 4/14/2020 1:52 PMThis challenge has been harder than expected for me, too. I'm glad we get a full month this time to give us more time to work on our habits. Hang in there! Thanks for your inspiring reflections!
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Erin Sheehan 4/03/2020 8:45 AMOh man, only the 3rd day and I've already been too busy too track my actions... hoping I can reset over this weekend and get back into it for next week. How is working from home resulting in even less free time than normal?! -
Erin Sheehan 4/01/2020 9:50 AMToday's the big day!
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Erin Sheehan 3/31/2020 12:00 PMOne more day until go-time! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I can't wait to hear how everyone tackles their daily actions and what everyone is doing while staying home. Hopefully we can keep a sense of community through these posts and reflection questions.
Good luck everyone! -
Erin Sheehan 3/23/2020 11:41 AMJust sent the invite out to the Seattle Team!
Looking forward to another challenge, but intrigued to see how we can encourage participation during such an isolating time.
Good Luck to all!-
Mike Yates 3/24/2020 6:41 AMErin,
It is looks like it will be focused on individuals until we are allowed back to work. Good luck with the Seattle Team.
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