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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Robert Hardin's avatar

Robert Hardin

Daimler-DTNA Portland

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 628 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    20
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    240
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    17
    pounds of paper
    have been saved

Robert's actions

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 18
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

Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

Nature

Forage for My Food

I will use the 'Learn More' resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 8
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

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

UNCOMPLETED
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Try a New Way to Prep
    Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/25/2018 12:21 PM
    My wife and I just took on making salsa and pickles this year!  My Aunt and Uncle have a farm in McMinnville so this was easy for us to accomplish!  We feel silly for not learing this sooner!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Go Paperless
    Reducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/24/2018 7:34 AM
    I always hate how much waste junk paper mail we get.  I'm good about going paperless but I found two more companies that I do business with that allowed me to go paperless! 

    You can always write companies and ask if they have a paperless option and if they don't, ask if they will think about adding one
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
    Father Thomas Berry says, "...our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." Respond to Berry's assertion.

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/24/2018 6:45 AM
    As photographers I feel a very deep connection to our planet, the universe and the fragility of life in general.  I feel a deeper understanding of life when I am outside, especially when experiencing a natural wonder.  I feel it is very important and that everyone can greatly benefit from it.  Take a break from your crazy "normal" life and watch a sunrise/sunset and just enjoy it!

    "You only get one sunrise and one sunset a day, and you only get so many days on the planet. A good photographer does the math and doesn't waste either." - Galen Rowell
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Forage for My Food
    Amongst the motivations for foraging are: a source of food; means of income; connecting with nature; cultural tradition; or transmitting "local ecological knowledge, and a means for stewarding local and native plant populations" (McLain et al. 2012, 13). Which of these would be your chief motivation and why?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/16/2018 2:20 PM
    My chief motivation for foraging for my own food is pretty much simply for a source of food and a connection to the land and nature.

    The Pacific Northwest is rich in natural food.  Salmon, Trout, Elk, Deer, Blackberries, Huckleberries, and mushrooms are just some of the wonderful things we have available.    I spent 30 minutes learning about mushroom foraging near my house

    • Olga Aulet-Leon's avatar
      Olga Aulet-Leon 10/18/2018 3:39 PM
      Mushroom hunting is awesome! I love the fall and looking for chanterelles, they are my absolute favorite! You definitely want to be very careful when foraging though as picking the wrong mushroom can be deadly. I stick to the mushrooms that have no deadly look alikes and always have another person verify what I have found. Always better safe than sorry!
  • 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.

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/11/2018 7:41 AM
    I feel as if the US is a decent leader in this area.  We have come a long way in recent history.  In the 60's you had days where you couldn't see downtown Los Angeles from 10 miles away - Those days are gone. I see a shift happening in todays society and am happy for that but feel we always need to strive to be better. 

    We cant govern other countries but we can continue to set great examples 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Adjust the Thermostat
    Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/09/2018 9:59 AM
    There are so many small things you can do to reduce your energy usage.

    - Opening and closing windows to take advantage of the outside temp to warm/cool your house
    - Changing lightbulbs to LED's
    - Turning off lights when not in the room
    - Looking for Energy Star approval when buying appliances
    - Unplugging TV's and computers and other appliances when on vacation and not home
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Choose Two-Sided Printing
    Choosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/09/2018 6:27 AM
    I changed this simple setting and showed other on my team how to do so.  It also saves time by not having to go back to your desk to staple pages together

    • Olga Aulet-Leon's avatar
      Olga Aulet-Leon 10/12/2018 9:40 AM
      That is awesome! Thanks for figuring that out and showing your team how to do the same! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Online Energy Audit
    What most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?

    Robert Hardin's avatar
    Robert Hardin 10/02/2018 6:30 AM
    Several years ago my parents installed a solar panel system on their house.  It gave a daily report of how much energy was saved and CO2 emissions reduced.  I found it very interesting and captivating!