Andrea Stephens

"In the end we will only conserve what we love; We will only love what we understand; And we will only understand what we are taught." Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
514 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

30

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

13

pounds

waste composted

Andrea's actions

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Support Native Communities

I will use the resource links provided and spend 60 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Learn More about Food Deserts

I will spend 90 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Andrea Stephens 10/24/2018 9:02 PM

What concerns me most about how we are affecting the planet is the continued making of choices without any real thought to their consequences. The average North American needs to accept that this is no longer just about sacrificing earth's habitats and life's beautiful, diverse species. The effects of our convenience based lifestyle are now threatening the lives of other human beings on our planet.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Needs Vs. Wants

How is creativity necessary for practicing simplicity?

Andrea Stephens 10/24/2018 8:52 PM

We have to overcome the greatest of the Four R's - RETHINK.
How do I Reduce & Reuse, so there is no need for Recycle?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Learn More about Food Deserts

What are the implications of access to nutritious food for a community?

Andrea Stephens 10/24/2018 8:49 PM

A community's accesss to nutrition food is key in overall healthy development and productivity. The need is great, surprisingly in urban pockets of large cities. With all the food waste being created, from farm to market, market to consumer, and alot in our own homes, there is a great opportunity to reduce our waste, and redirect the excess to provide for those in need. We must do better.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

What 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?

Andrea Stephens 10/23/2018 7:11 AM

There are many reasons which contribute to North Americans meat-rich diets. We have a large cattle economy, throughout our history meat has been equated with wealth, and our agricultural industries have promoted meat protein as the "best" source for our body's needs and daily diets
As we reexamine North American habits of consumption, we must create a shift in our understanding of plant-based diets and plant protein alternatives - not only for our own individual benefits, but also for the positive impact it can have on our planet.

Read More
Andrea Stephens 10/06/2018 10:25 AM

"My Why" is I truly believe that through more awareness, partnered with more engagement, we human beings can make positive change, both NOW, for ourselves and our planet, as well as for future generations.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Eliminate Toxic Plastics

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Andrea Stephens 10/03/2018 6:10 AM

I am proud to say that I have mostly eliminated plastic straws, disposable coffee cups, and plastic bags from my daily life by carrying Reusable alternatives. My current challenge is to try and find foods that can be purchased without plastic wrap or plastic packaging.

Read More
Andrea Stephens 10/02/2018 9:21 AM

Looking forward to starting our Green Northern Eco Challenge tomorrow! Each day of the next three weeks, I will work towards making small, positive changes that, together with our team, will have a measurable impact and create better habits for lasting sustainability!

Read More