Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

Taylor Obert

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,098 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

44

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

720

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

5.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

176

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

132

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

44

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

420

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

45

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1,140

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

128

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

public officials or leaders

contacted

Taylor's actions

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 60 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 60 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Public Transit

I will use public transit 6 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 3.39 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 2 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 2.41 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Online Energy Audit

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

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Advocate for Greener Vehicles

I will spend at least 60 minutes assessing the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.

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?

Taylor Obert 10/24/2018 6:54 AM

I can't wait for next spring so I can plant some bee friendly plants/flowers, install a rain barrel and put mulch in my garden so I can lessen the amount of water I use!

Read More
Taylor Obert 10/24/2018 6:52 AM

How is this the last day already??

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Taylor Obert 10/18/2018 5:56 AM

I can't believe there are only six days left!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

To what extent do you believe that environmental factors contribute to your own health or issues with health?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:14 PM

I think air pollution negatively effects our lungs and skin even if it's not noticed on a daily basis. Small amounts of damage over a long period of time is a huge concern.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:13 PM

I think more people need to learn to be a little more self sufficient when it comes to their food intake. Learn how to bake their own bread and grow even a few vegetables.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Use Public Transit

The US spends roughly 20% of its federal budget on defense. In contrast, 2% goes to education, 20% goes to social security and 3% goes to transportation infrastructure. Do these numbers surprise you at all? Why or why not?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:11 PM

It's all about who is in charge of this country. No, the numbers don't surprise me because that's how it has always been and unless someone who has real life experience in those areas and are passionate in those areas, there isn't going to be an actual solution.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Walk Instead

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Do you feel that this fact applies to you? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:09 PM

I think it's hard because a lot of cities in the US are spread out so wide that instead of walking a few blocks to the store and back, it ends up being a few miles. You can't bring your kids and a family's worth of groceries two miles to the grocery store and back. Also, there aren't as many bike lanes or bus routes as there seem to be in other modern countries.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reuseable one but it's just hard to make the switch. Think about what stands in your way of making this a habit. By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:05 PM

It makes me feel good knowing I'm reducing my waste. Plus, I can choose what reusable mug I use by my mood for the day.. What's better than that??

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:04 PM

Making sure proper maintenance is done to prevent major issues down the road.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Plant an Herb Garden

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?

Taylor Obert 10/17/2018 12:03 PM

A summer garden and a windowsill garden would be the most cohesive to create with my lifestyle.

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