"Earth Month is an entire 30 days dedicated to environmental education, impact, and appreciation.
It's a great opportunity to observe the wonder of the planet, and to take steps to help improve it"
POINTS TOTAL
0
TODAY
0
THIS WEEK
1,501
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
1.0
energy audit
conducted
UP TO
390
gallons of water
have been saved
UP TO
4.0
hours
volunteered
UP TO
412
minutes
spent learning
UP TO
2.2
pounds
food waste prevented
UP TO
4.6
pounds of CO2
have been saved
UP TO
13
zero-waste meals
consumed
Patti Jo's actions
Basic Needs & Security
Tour of Open Door Mission - shelter/food pantry
With a fellow EcoChallenge teammate, I toured the Open Door Mission to view their facilities, gain an understanding of the scope of their work to serve homeless and low income people in our community, and learn how they are incorporating sustainable efforts into their operations.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
A Great Turning - Presentation
Visual Arts Gallery - April 13 at 12:40 - Panel Discussion / Viewing of Joann Macey's documentary video: A Great Turning (25 min)
Panelists: Scott Royael (Sustainability Coordinator) and Rob Snell (President of the Southern Adk National Audubon Society)Joanna Macy: The Great Turning is a shift from the Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization.
I chose this topic to educate myself about the shift from an Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Economy & Communities
Understand Your Climate And Natural Disaster Risks
SDG #9 Industry & Infrastructure
I will spend 20 minutes learning about the climate and natural disaster risks in my area.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Health & Equity
Learn About The Health & Equity SDGs
SDG #3, 5, 10 & 16
I will spend 20 minutes learning about these SDGs.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Llama Farm Tour
SDG #15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
The team will visit the llama farm to learn about the animals and their lives, and discuss the llama's role within an ecosystem - pets, guard animal, fiber use, and manure
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Basic Needs & Security
Know Your Produce
SDG #2 Zero Hunger
I will visit ewg.org to learn about and use their Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen produce lists.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Basic Needs & Security
Learn About the Basic Needs & Security SDGs
SDG #1, 2 & 6
I will spend 15 minutes learning about these SDGs.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Education & Livelihood
Volunteer In My Community
SDG #11 Communities
I will volunteer hour(s) in my community.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Education & Livelihood
Plan A Staycation in Your Community
SDG #11 Communities
For an upcoming vacation, I will plan a staycation in my region.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Learn About The Climate & Ecosystems SDGs
SDG #13, 14 & 15
I will spend 20 minutes learning about these SDGs.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Learn About Invasive Species
SDG #14 & 15
I will spend 15 minutes learning about invasive species and ways to reduce their impacts.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Calculate Your Carbon Impact
SDG #13 Climate
I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Economy & Communities
Create A Readiness Plan
SDG #9 Industry & Infrastructure
I will develop a readiness plan for my household in the event of an emergency.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Economy & Communities
Online Energy Audit
SDG #7 Energy
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Economy & Communities
Mend Clothing
SDG #9 Industry & Infrastructure
I will mend a piece of clothing for myself, family or friends.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Health & Equity
Practice Mindfulness
SDG #3 Health & Well-Being
I will spend 15 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.
COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS
Health & Equity
Learn About Gender Diversity
SDG #5 Gender
I will spend 30 minutes learning about gender diversity.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Health & Equity
Track My Purchases
SDG #10 Reduced Inequalities
Throughout the day I will track my purchases and then research the companies making these goods.
COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS
Health & Equity
Safe Disposal of Medications and Household Chemicals
SDG #3 Health & Well-Being
I will spend 15 minutes learning about how and where to dispose of medications and chemicals properly.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Basic Needs & Security
Support A Renters Bills of Rights
SDG #1 No Poverty
Of nearly 44 million U.S. renter households in 2019, more than 45% paid rent equal to 30% or more of their gross household income. I will spend 15 minutes learning about a renters bill of rights and affordable housing.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Basic Needs & Security
Get To Know Your Watershed
SDG #6 Water & Sanitation
I will spend 10 minutes learning about my watershed and the particular water issues my region faces.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Basic Needs & Security
Practice A Sharing Economy
SDG #1 No Poverty
Each day, I will engage in a sharing economy among my family, friends, and neighbors.
COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS
Basic Needs & Security
Take 5-Minute Or Less Showers
SDG #6 Water & Sanitation
I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers. Tip: Use a timer to practice or count to 60 a few times.
COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS
Basic Needs & Security
Make Zero-Waste Meals
SDG #2 Zero Hunger
I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero waste each day.
COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS
Basic Needs & Security
Calculate Your Water Footprint
SDG #6 Water & Sanitation
I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste.
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?
Day 22 - EARTH DAY... The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to celebrate Earth Day on campus! My next post will include pics of our campus Friday Social, Eco-Tour!
Day 20.....Protecting the Planet is the best legacy that we can leave for our grandchildren....
Meet Cole Patrick & Amelia Jo.......
During Earth Month, I've given a lot of thought to the future of my grandchildren. Research shows that parents/grandparents/guardians/teachers, etc. should be role models in every way including sustainability. We should teach our children to do such things as turn off lights and electronics when not in use. Make it a habit to use natural light in your home as often as possible. You can also conserve energy by wearing extra clothing layers before you turn the heat on. Purchase a travel mug and a travel water bottle. My grands are to young to understand most of these examples. However, I will take every opportunity, including working in my vegetable garden with them, so that they understand all the little steps we can take to make for a more sustainable world!
Day 19....Dependency on Electricity..... We as human beings are heavily dependent on electricity and gas for our daily needs. The free availability of electricity and gas enables us to live comfortably in adverse weathers and also travel effortlessly. On a day like today, it gives you a greater appreciation and awareness of our dependency on electricity. A Power outage affecting 15,000 people in my region and 8" of snow, made a rough start to the day. Down power lines and fallen trees made travel difficult to work. Though the roads cleared by the end of the work day, we were still without power. We managed through the night with candles and propane heat. In reflection, I enjoyed the simple quiet time with candlelight and without the background noise of TV and electronics and no hot water. I may consider choosing 1 day a month to turn out the lights, all electronic devices and sit in gratitude for all that I have!
Day 18......"A Great Turning" Last week, I attended a Visual Arts Gallery documentary viewing in Dearlove Hall, Joann Macey's, "A Great Turning". It's best described as a shift from the Industrial Growth Society to a life-sustaining civilization. There are three dimensions of the "A Great Turning": 1. Actions to slow the damage to Earth and its beings 2. Analysis of structural causes and the creation of structural alternatives 3. Shift in Consciousness In summary, this documentary was eye opening for me. I feel like this experience is yet another introspective opportunity for me during Earth month!
Day 15.....A visit to OPEN DOOR MISSION..... A wonderful guided tour with the Director of Corporate Relations gave me a greater appreciation for this organization. Having donated previously, I am now looking forward to serving in a volunteer in the future. The Open Door Mission exists to serve people at their point of need, cultivating personal growth and community sustainability. Serving those individuals who are homeless and low income. We model our Faith in Jesus by providing practical solutions, to physical, spiritual, and relational brokenness.
Day 16....Get Involved with your community... As a leader in Religious Education, we are planning for Faith Formation with our church. Our congregation families will assemble in a few weeks for an outside Spring clean up at the church and rectory. A greener, cleaner Earth!
Day 17...Reflecting on the Book of Genesis....The primary theme of Genesis is creation, sin, and recreation, 1. Genesis 2:15 says “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” 2 We recognize that all created things belong to God . 3, We are accountable to Him as stewards of the creation.
Day 16...Recycling My bi-monthly trek to the transfer station brings to mind the importance of recycling, in our efforts for a more sustainable world. Not only can it help reduce your carbon footprint, but it also helps reduce the need for harvesting raw materials, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases, prevents pollution, and more. By improving our recycling habits, we can help keep the environment clean and preserve our natural resources. Recycling helps reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing energy consumption. Using recycled materials to make new products reduces the need for virgin materials. This avoids greenhouse gas emissions that would result from extracting or mining virgin materials.
MENDING CLOTHING.... I would not say that I am SKILLED at mending but I know how to do it. I learned how to sew in high school. Repairing an item of clothing can make you feel satisfied wearing it and leaves the repairer with a renewed sense of closeness and ownership but it's more than that. When we repair something by hand, our motor skills are honed and our head is fully engaged, leaving a sense of calm and balance. I am afraid that I don't have any tips to offer.
Patagonia does a lot for sustainability and environmental causes. If you click on SHOP on their website, it shows "Browse Used" at the bottom of most categories. It also lists "Shop Used" and "Trade In" on the bottom right of that menu. I believe they also have gear patches you can stick to a jacket or snow pants if they get a hole. It's awesome to see a huge company connecting people with used gear and trying to lessen their carbon footprint. Such a rewarding process.
https://www.patagonia.com/home/
"Buying used extends a garment's life by about two years, which cuts its combined carbon, waste and water footprint by 82%."
The linking factor across this group of SDG's is health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.
