Kim Smith

PCC Environmental Sociology and Social Change

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,170 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

80

minutes

spent learning

Kim's actions

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

Get To Know Your Watershed

SDG #6 Water & Sanitation

I will spend 75 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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What watershed do you live in presently? What is something interesting or unique about your watershed?
Kim Smith 4/21/2022 3:10 PM
I live in the Bull Run Watershed, in Portland, OR. It provides wonderfully clean and tasty water and is a huge asset to our region. Thank goodness it is protected in so many ways. When tours are allowed again, I can't wait to sign up and get to actually see this natural treasure.
https://www.portland.gov/water/education/community-education/bull-run-tour

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Kim Smith 4/09/2022 3:39 PM
I always love participating in the different Ecochallenges that happen over the year. Thrilled to see that this year's theme focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I integrate them into several of my classes and work closely with Goal #4 - Education in my professional work, so it is cool to see what types of actions have been identified in the Ecochallenge lists.

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Kim Smith 4/07/2022 11:28 PM
Thank goodness for these lessons from EWG's lessons about the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. I was so anxious about the greens that I bought yesterday. Just ran to the refrigerator and confirmed that they are, thankfully, organic. We'll make sure that the kale, chard, collard greens, and spinach growing in our garden will be organic.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What surprised you about the two produce lists? How will you use these lists for your grocery shopping? Have you used these lists before?
Kim Smith 4/07/2022 9:03 PM
Wow! Big revelations here. The EWG site: https://www.ewg.org/ offers a lot of awareness about different foods and products. I knew a couple of the benefits and risks of a couple of the items on the lists, but did not realize the scale of issues on the "Dirty Dozen" list, nor the different items on the "Clean Fifteen" list. I printed up their handy downloadable lists (sized well for a wallet) and put them on the refrigerator to be a good reminder and lesson to learn.

They will definitely shape my shopping habits. I was so worried when I saw that spinach and kale were on the "Dirty Dozen", as I bought some yesterday. I ran to the refrigerator and am so grateful to discover that the "power green" mix is organic!! Plus, we are growing kale, chard, and collard greens in our garden, so we can ensure that they will be organic.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What benefits does the sharing economy offer to you and others? If you are a little shy to try, what could be a first step for you?
Kim Smith 4/07/2022 1:24 AM
I have had the most amazing experiences with two sharing models in my neighborhood. My partner and I built a Little Library, where we share books, seeds, and plants with our neighbors and multiple people seem to stop everyday.

The other big project that I am working on is the Buy Nothing Project. There are groups all over, but I am part of my local SW Portland group. People offer home and garden supplies everyday. For the Ecochallenge, I am trying to make sure that I can contribute something everyday to my neighbors.

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- Kim Smith 4/07/2022 2:16 PM
  Oh, wow! Those are great actions, too, Sarah. I love how conscious you are of the needs in our communities, the ability to redistribute bounty, and offer service. Your "blessing meals" sound lovely!
  
  In addition to getting signed up with your local Buy Nothing group, it is worthwhile to check out places like community gardens and tool sharing sheds.
  
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- Sarah Lopez 4/07/2022 10:51 AM
  These two actions are wonderful Dr. Smith! The daily goal you have sounds like a real challenge! I often walk by those lending/free libraries and pick out books for the kids I used to work with whose families were not always able to provide them with new ones. I hope to pass by your little library someday!
  
  I am a serial 'donator' of various art supplies/clothes/books/furniture -- and have been only searching for useful items that are free via Craigslist or the Nextdoor app. I have see a lot of happy 'customers' when they take home gently used items for free. I like to think of it as my duty to share my bounty no matter how small. Lately, I've been wanting to contribute more to my new neighborhood in Beaverton since my displacement from Oakland [CA] though I don't yet understand the needs of my surrounding community (it's a bit quiet here with little foot traffic) - maybe by applying the sharing models I will make some new connections as well as provide a service or necessity here. If you know of anything I'd like to hear it.
  
  Another thing I'm trying to do monthy is make 'blessing meals' for the homeless using items I get from the Panther Pantry or Bethlehem House of Bread. So far my partner and I have made and distributed over 35 free (and very healthy) meals to the vulnerable people living in various encampments downtown. I am also starting to gather free clothes to pass out to them as well during summer break. We are definitely on this journey together <3
  
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