Saila Balasubramanian
"To learn more ways to help reduce our impact on the planet :)"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 681 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0donationmade
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UP TO3.0hoursvolunteered
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UP TO10locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO68meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO520minutesspent exercising
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UP TO15minutesspent learning
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UP TO190minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO5.0minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO26pounds of CO2have been saved
Saila's actions
Energy
Donate to or Volunteer for Low-Income Solar Initiatives
Whether it's by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support low-income solar initiatives in my area.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 2 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Simplicity
Meditate
I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 5 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Health
Exercise Daily
Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.
Nature
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.
Waste
Launch a Recycling Program
I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Energy
Switch to Cold Water
I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Launch a Recycling ProgramHow might thinking creatively help us address big systems problems differently?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 8:01 PMI think that's self-evident - if we come up with creative solutions, we'll be able to address big systems problems in ways we hadn't previously tried. Which is great, because we clearly haven't come up with a lasting solution yet, so we need to think outside of the box -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Find Local Recycling DepotsOur ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:59 PMI was looking up how to recycle lightbulbs and learned that many things are recyclable that I never would have realized - like electronics, fabrics, etc. I'll always have to check in the future to avoid a wasted recycling opportunity :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSimplicity MeditateWhat would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:56 PMMy career - it's not always a comfortable thing to think about, so I need to force myself to spend more time than I'm currently spending -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Go for a Daily WalkHow do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:56 PMI'm very aware of where I am, so I get a better map of the neighborhood in my head, and I see more details that make me feel closer to my neighbors -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Exercise DailyHow can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:55 PMWorking exercise into every day lets me use my time management skills and discipline :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Explore My AreaHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:53 PMKnowing more about the environment I live in makes me feel more at home and more connected to where I live. It literally helps me put down roots :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Buy From a Farmers MarketWhat is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:51 PMI can choose to avoid anything with excess packaging (like single packs and other unhealthy snacks), which would help both me and the environment -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Donate to or Volunteer for Low-Income Solar InitiativesEquitable access, environmental justice and creating employment opportunities are just a few advantages of low-income solar programs. Can you think of other benefits that could come from initiatives like this? Which advantages of low-income solar do you find the most compelling?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:49 PMLow-income solar can actually generate enough energy that the excess can be sold back to some utility companies, providing an easy additional source of income for the communities. In addition, the cells can look nice and futuristic and improve the look of some of the buildings. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Turn it offHow is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:46 PMSF actually has a pretty clean grid! It's made it much easier to feel good about switching to an electric car, and really reduce my carbon footprint -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsWhat do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than in other places, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?
Saila Balasubramanian 10/22/2018 7:42 PMI think it means we need to start having more convenient vegetarian options - there aren't that many good vegetarian fast food places, which seems to drive a lot of eating decisions