Earth Month Ecochallenge 2022: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2022

Sally Wright (SSC)

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center

"To use less and give more. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,076 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1,680

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

605

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

35

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1,680

minutes

not spent in front of a screen

Sally's actions

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG #3 Health & Well-Being

I will spend 10 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Economy & Communities

Find out where your energy comes from

SDG #7 Energy

I will spend 30 minutes learning about where my energy comes from.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

Education & Livelihood

Research Impact Investing

SDG #8 Work & Economy

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing or my current investment portfolio to determine if they align with my values.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG #2 Zero Hunger

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Join A Climate Action Orginization

SDG #13 Climate

I will learn about local, national and international climate action organizations that I could join and connect with one or more.

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

Climate & Ecosystems

Create & Share A Love Letter, Poem, Song or Picture

SDG #13, 14 & 15

I will express my love and gratitude for our planet by writing a love letter, poem, song or taking a picture. I will share it with others on my social media channels, in person, or as an Earth Month Ecochallenge feed reflection.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY 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

Get To Know Your Watershed

SDG #6 Water & Sanitation

I will spend 25 minutes learning about my watershed and the particular water issues my region faces.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Communicate Constructively

SDG #16 Peace & Justice

I will use the communication methods I read about to practice effective, compassionate, and nonviolent communication with someone I interact with regularly (i.e., my roommate, parents, co-worker, partner, classmates, or children).

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Support Local Pollinators

SDG #15 Life On Land

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 15 minutes researching which plants support local pollinators and plant some in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Plant More to Share More

Plant extra garden produce in order to share with your neighbors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Induction Cooking

SDG #7 Energy

I will spend 30 minutes learning about induction cooking and consider if I could add this to my food prep methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG #3 Health & Well-Being

I will replace 40 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 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Learn About Invasive Species

SDG #14 & 15

I will spend 30 minutes learning about invasive species and ways to reduce their impacts.

COMPLETED
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

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

Where does the energy in your region come from? Which energy is a renewable source?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/29/2022 1:32 PM
Most of our energy is Hydro, which I suspected because we are within four hours of several dams (for better or for worse - dams are good for electricity production but very, very bad for salmon runs and for the indigenous cultures who have essentially given the middle finger at their way of life). Unsurprising, wind is also in the top four sources. Glad for the turbines I get to see when driving eastward and thankful to live in a place that uses renewable resources. I also compared a year's worth of my home's electricity use along side regional and national averages and am relieved to report we use half or less than the average consumer, both regional and national. (Even with that statistic, I learned it would take " 31 tree seedlings grown for 10 years or 2 acres of forests in one year to offset those CO2 emissions." Yowza...gonna have to make some changes around this joint!)

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- Brian Nelson (SSC) 4/29/2022 2:18 PM
  You're right about the pros/cons about hydro. Every choice we make has a gray answer - I think it's akin to the "paper vs plastic bags" discussion.
  
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- Marci Rau 4/29/2022 2:03 PM
  Wow, this is impactful to read! Thank you!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the clean energy shift?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/27/2022 3:45 PM
Most of the people with whom I associate are on the same wavelength when it comes to clean energy. But for us - as with others - it can be a very costly investment up front to switch over. I definitely have the desire, I just don't usually have the spare change needed to get it going.

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- Brian Nelson (SSC) 4/27/2022 4:13 PM
  Maybe James' have some solar tips once he finishes his research on home solar? :)
  
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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?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/27/2022 3:43 PM
We'll reduce our carbon footprint by going more electric (both in vehicle and home heating) as well as by walking and biking more. We also have really great access to public transit and could stand to use that more often.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Climate & Ecosystems

What area of climate action are you most passionate about and why?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/25/2022 10:57 AM
For me, I was always most passionate about recycling/trash pick-up/beautification, but my focus has been shifting lately. Water use/re-use/reduction has been big for me, particularly during this Ecomonth Challenge; trying to consume less meat; going single-use and plastic-free as often as possible; buying/supporting local; researching switching from gas to electric heat and adding solar panels at home. It was interesting reading from the list on VOX of the lesser-known climate change orgs worth donating to, who are out there fighting the good fight. It added a few more areas of which I should be more conscience. There's so much to do!

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Sally Wright (SSC) 4/22/2022 10:35 AM
So beautiful and sunny this morning. I refuse to complain about all of the rain we have been given this spring, because we really need it, but I felt oh so happy walking home in the sunshine after dropping my kids off at school this morning.

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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?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/22/2022 8:37 AM
I am TERRIBLE at mending and sewing. It's so shoddy and haphazard and hasty (but then again, I am haphazard and hasty myself so it makes sense...). However, even if it doesn't look pretty, there is something very satisfying about mending something in order to keep using it. In this instance, it was an over-the-shoulder bag I bought at a thrift store (but the item itself was new and hand made). One end of the shoulder strap broke but it is an easy repair, even for a novice like me.

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- Brian Nelson (SSC) 4/22/2022 10:08 AM
  Great story. :)
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

Would you consider using an induction cooking surface? If you have used one before, what do you like about induction cooking?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/22/2022 8:28 AM
I'd do anything to try and help save the planet at this point....
We already have an electric stove but want to switch our gas furnace to an electric heat pump as soon as we can.

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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?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/07/2022 11:27 AM
I remember my mother in law mentioning the Dirty Dozen before to me. She is the most amazing gardener in the WORLD. I try to buy organic and pesticide free whenever I can, and thankfully we have the means to be able to afford it. What about those who can't afford it or don't have stores who stock such things? Why is it that the organic world is so highly regulated and the chemical/pesticide world isn't so much? Should be the other way around. Anyway, when shopping, whether I am buying organic or not, I always wash my produce (with water only) before consuming, even if it is going to be cooked. Hopefully that is getting rid of all the nonsense, but who knows.

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- Brian Nelson (SSC) 4/07/2022 1:37 PM
  One thing I learned long ago about organic vs conventional: people often have the mis-impression that organic means "no pesticides or fertilizers"...that's not actually true. It's definitely confusing and more nuanced, but it has more to do with synthetic vs "natural" pesticides/fertilizers - the latter being allowed in large parts on "organic" produce. Ironically, though, the "natural" stuff doesn't work as well as the more harmful synthetic stuff, so it means that the end result is MORE pesticide residue and MORE fertilizer is used to achieve the same results. You're right, Sally...washing is still a must!
  
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- James Howard (SW) 4/07/2022 12:15 PM
  Well said! I like the idea of regulating the pesticides more. Or better yet eliminating them.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time inside and on screens?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/06/2022 5:05 PM
People forget how to actually interact in real life, it seems. Worse still, so much validation is sought from social media posts and such. People rely on this to feel good about themselves rather than being outside in the fresh air, getting exercise, which will also make one feel good about themselves, and it a healthier, more natural way.
Physically, it messes with your eyes - makes them dry or twitchy. It is disruptive to sleep patterns. It's probably bad for the neck, constantly bent over as we doom scroll. It causes us to have a shorter attention span or to easily tune out what is actually happening around us.
I could go on and on here. The phrase "Turn on, tune in, drop out" by Timothy Leary practically fits this digital, indoor era, a liiiiiiiiiittle bit different from what he was referring to when HE used the phrase. Let's BE together, people! It makes us happier.

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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?
Sally Wright (SSC) 4/05/2022 12:46 PM
We are installing rain barrels this spring to help reduce our water use in the yard. Interested in learning more about a graywater system, which I hadn't really heard of until finding out my household's Water Footprint just now. Our household does a good job of not letting the water run while brushing teeth/washing dishes, etc. We do have one terribly leaky faucet outside that needs to be fixed, but we catch that water in a 5-gallon bucket to water our outdoor plants at least.

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- Brian Nelson (SSC) 4/05/2022 1:00 PM
  I'm interested to know which product you settle on for a barrel? :)
  
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