Earth Month Ecochallenge 2022: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2022

Maddy Bryant

WSP USA West Region

"“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” - Dr. Seuss"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,070 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

855

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

210

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

80

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

855

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Maddy's actions

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

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG #2 Zero Hunger

I will enjoy 3 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

[WSP Custom Action] Learn about Water Conservation and Equity

I will read the article "Improving Water Conservation Through an Equity Lens" on WSP Insights.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

[WSP Custom Action] Participate in a Vedge Pledge

I will pledge to go vegetarian or vegan for a week with support from Julie Sinistore for this week with resources. The goal of this action is to reduce the environmental and social impacts of food choices and gain awareness about these impacts. If you would like to participate, please email [email protected] The pledge will run the week of April 25th and will feature a presentation by Julie about the environmental and social impacts of food on April 27th, at 1pm Pacific/4pm Eastern.

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

Reduce Single-Use Plastics

SDG #14 & 15

Throughout the day, I will note the single-use plastics I use and consider the reusable options available to me.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG #3 Health & Well-Being

I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

[WSP Custom Action] Learn How to Take Action on the SDGs

I will watch this 30 minute free course through the UN Global Compact Academy to learn more about the SDGs and how to take action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Economy & Communities

Understand Your Climate And Natural Disaster Risks

SDG #9 Industry & Infrastructure

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the climate and natural disaster risks in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Work-Life Balance

SDG #8 Work & Economy

During the workday, I will schedule time for daily rest during work days to practice work-life balance.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

[WSP custom action] Embodied Carbon Action Plan

WSP has signed the Structural Engineering Institute 2050 Commitment (SE 2050) to reduce embodied carbon in structural systems. Read WSP's newly published embodied carbon action plan (ECAP).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate & Ecosystems

[WSP Custom Action] Take Five And Find Out What it Takes to Reach Net-Zero!

Do you know what it will take to reach net-zero? Do you know which technologies and innovations are needed to keep warming below 2°C or 1.5°C? Take five minutes to see if your ideas on investments can get us to net zero!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

SDG #7 Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

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 30 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

What was it like to mend your clothing? If you are skilled at mending, what tips do you have for others?
Maddy Bryant 4/22/2022 8:16 AM
My partner had a button come off of his shorts. I was able to sew the button back on. I have no sewing skills but a quick YouTube tutorial helped in that regard :) I also had a pair of jeans that the back pocket started ripping at the seam. Instead of throwing them away or getting rid of them I decided to take it into the cleaners to have them repair it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

What are the climate and disaster risks in your region?
Maddy Bryant 4/20/2022 10:05 AM
This year AZ is predicted to have a bad fire season. Fire and drought seem to be the biggest risks to my region. Ironically flash flooding is also a risk here especially during Monsoon season. Tragically every year you hear of someone dying in a flash flood whether it be poor decision making or a freak accident. I think of people who drive into washes when they are instructed not to. I think if people spent the time learning of these risk we would not have as many fatalities attributed to flash flooding.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Education & Livelihood

How does practicing a work-life balance create a more sustainable life for you? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?
Maddy Bryant 4/20/2022 10:02 AM
Practicing a work life balance allows me to have more time to make more sustainable food decisions. I have time to cook my meals rather than eat out and use extra packaging (e.g., bags, disposable plates, single use plastics). I also have more time to go to the grocery store and think about what I am buying. If I cook meals I use less packaging and am able to make better diet choices.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What is one way you will reduce your water use? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your water use?
Maddy Bryant 4/13/2022 9:29 AM
Most of my dishes go into the dishwasher but some pots/pans I wash by hand. I tend to let the faucet run more than I should when washing. I will try to only run the water to rinse the dishes rather then scrub then while water is running.

I think my household is good when it comes to showers. We both try to avoid washing our hair everyday to keep shower times low. We also have a low flow showerhead.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What was the tastiest meatless or vegan meal you ever had or had recently? Did you make it? Can you share a recipe?
Maddy Bryant 4/13/2022 8:29 AM
I continue to be impressed by the ever growing option of meatless options. I have been using my air fryer to make various tofu dishes. I'll buy different marinades and then cook them in my air fryer. My tofu always comes out crisp. Prior to acquiring my air fryer I did not cook tofu at home much because cooking it on the stove was more challenging and many times it would come out soggy or with a limp texture. With my new method of cooking tofu my meal possibilities are seemingly endless.

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- Julie Sinistore 4/13/2022 4:39 PM
  Nice! Yes, the air fryer is tofu's best friend!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time inside and on screens?
Maddy Bryant 4/13/2022 8:25 AM
I think that a culture who spends most of its time inside is not able to fully embrace their community or ecosystem. An example is how people have lawns and non-native plants in Phoenix. Anyone who spends time exploring the surrounding wilderness will realize that this is a desert and having non native plants is detrimental to the limited water supply. Instead of learning about local ecosystems, animal life, plant life, and more, people are tuned into what they already know. When people do not know about their surrounding environment, then they do not feel to the need to act when it is threatened.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

In your community, what are the best ways to engage the public? How would you spread the word about water conservation programs?
Maddy Bryant 4/07/2022 8:10 AM
In Phoenix, I believe social media is the best way to engage the public. Local news and print journalism is beneficial, too, but I believe the largest audience will be found on social media. I think if the importance of water conservation is emphasized using the Desert eco system and the current drought people will begin to learn the important role they play in conserving the already scare water here. We can begin by getting people to stop having lawns here and incentivize having natural desert landscape!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate & Ecosystems

What is one way you will reduce your carbon foorprint? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your carbon footprint?
Maddy Bryant 4/05/2022 9:46 AM
I will try to learn more about where my food comes from and try to buy less packaged food. I was unable to really give an honest answer as I have no idea where things I eat actually come from. As for what practice reduces my carbon footprint, I opt to live close to my office, even though it's is a bit more expensive and I can only afford a small apartment. I find I would rather live in a smaller, centrally located home than a larger home in the suburbs. Due to this choice my work commute is less than 5 miles per day and don't have to deal with traffic :D.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate & Ecosystems

What plastic or single-use items do you regularly use? What did you substitute or could be substituted?
Maddy Bryant 4/01/2022 4:21 PM
I recently switched from using body wash to using bar soap. I am hoping this small action can save some bottles from ending up in the landfill.

Read More
- David Conway 4/03/2022 2:32 PM
  My wife does that for her and me as well. She also eliminated plastic from all of our soaps (laundry detergent, dishwasher, bathroom) and buys bulk or compostable packages.
  
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- Elizabeth Wypasek 4/01/2022 6:19 PM
  Yay! I have no plastic bottles in my shower-we use bar soap and bar shampoo! (no packaging)
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Education & Livelihood

What place in your region are you most excited to visit during your staycation?
Maddy Bryant 4/01/2022 3:56 PM
I am looking forward to exploring some hiking trails west of Phoenix. I am unfamiliar with the BLM land in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness. I am hoping to get a couple hikes in this weekend before the summer heat takes over.

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