James Zoutis

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

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher and only run the dishwasher when it’s full.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators, including monarch butterflies, to produce fruit. I will spend 10 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

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.

I will spend — minutes learning about clothing that leaches micro plastics into the ocean when washed and how to best prevent it. Micro plastics are found in the intestines of many marine species, including the North American Right Whale.

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 4 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

I will spend at least 15 minute(s) a day researching climate issues or climate solutions in my local area and share with others through my team feed, social media, or conversations with my peers.