Mike Yates

WSP USA Ecochallengers

"I want to use this challenge to become more aware of ways to reduce plastic usage and more involved in the community"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,451 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

730

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

820

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

41

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

33

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

75

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Mike's actions

Forests

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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

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.

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

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 :)

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Fresh Water

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Earth Day Together!

Earth Day Action: Research and Support Local Organizations

I will spend 30 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

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?

Mike Yates 4/30/2020 3:05 PM

A we finish out last day. we are currently in 2nd place in both team and organization. Great job everyone. Great team effort.

Read More
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?

Mike Yates 4/30/2020 2:45 PM

If i forget my bags it is because they are in the car. I will just keep things in the cart and then loud them in the reusable bags at the car. I also have a collapsible crate in my car for groceries as well.

Read More
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?

Mike Yates 4/30/2020 2:37 PM

Cultures that spend most of their time indoors do not get the reminders of the beauty and wonder of nature. To me, getting out of doors and just observing all that is around you helps relax you and gives a sense of welbeing.

Read More
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?

Mike Yates 4/29/2020 2:30 PM

The first way is to research on the bottling companies and the areas they are using. Armed with that information it becomes a campaign to get the information out to the public. Then write to local, state, and federal elected officials and tell them how you feel about what is going on.

Read More
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?

Mike Yates 4/29/2020 2:26 PM

For me, it has been easy being at home. The real challenge will be once I start getting coffee from DD every day. I plan to have a mug in the car that they can use versus getting their throw away cups every day.

Read More
Mike Yates 4/29/2020 2:24 PM

Way to go team. We are now in 2nd place for teams - I believe for the 1st time ever. One more day to go. Let's get those one time items and reflection questions answered.

Read More
Mike Yates 4/28/2020 3:21 PM

Today took a walk with my daughter around the neighborhood. We took time looking at all the different trees and flowers. We also tried to identify the different species of birds we saw. Although she is out in the neighborhood (or used to be) all the time, She enjoyed looking at all the differences. This is the 1st time she has really slowed down to notice them.

Read More
Mike Yates 4/27/2020 4:25 PM

We are soo close to second in both team and organizations. Let's all make a big push and try for 2nd in both.

Read More
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?

Mike Yates 4/27/2020 4:25 PM

I was surprised that cod had as much potential for mercury as it did. I Do not eat any of the fish in the high mercury list. I had not thought about where the fish comes from (Korea, China) has a dramatic affect on how much mercury(pollutants) the fish can have due to less regulatory control. I plan to try and purchase more locally.

Read More
Mike Yates 4/26/2020 5:51 PM

Happy Sunday all. Entering the last week of the challenge. Lets finish strong.

Read More