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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Manda Magee's avatar

Manda Magee

WSP USA & Friends

"To be better"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,198 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    7.0
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    315
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    270
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    public official or leader
    contacted

Manda's actions

Community

Express My Support

I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

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 native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Support Businesses Owned by People of Color

Racial inequity is a sustainability problem. I will support businesses owned by people of color in my community whenever I shop.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 15 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Recycle Everything I Can

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn More about Food Deserts

I will spend 15 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Create Your Own Action

Teach my daughter about recycling

I will teach my 3 year old daughter how to recycle. About what types to recycle, where it goes, and why. I will get books and read about recycling. I will get posters to put up that show what to recycle.

COMPLETED 5
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?


  • Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/24/2018 5:24 PM
    The challenge was more interesting the second go around.  We really opened up the event to all our offices in the US.  Ended up is over 50 cities and 30 states were the participants.  I loved how we created a small community of discussion in such a large company. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
    How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/24/2018 4:19 AM
    If you live in NY state, this is a great place to start.
    http://documents.dps.ny.gov/PTC/home

    It gave a lot of different options and history of pricing.

    I signed up for a 6 month contract.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Support Local Pollinators
    Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/23/2018 10:36 AM
    Who knew bats were pollinators.  I'm going to encourage my parents to plant some additional plants in their back yard in RI.  I think they will be receptive to it.  

    This image was inspirational.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Online Energy Audit
    What most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/22/2018 12:38 PM
    I love doing the energy audits, but it's hard when you don't have control over your heating and water heater.  I wish there was a way to mandate that a building upgrade to efficient equipment.  

    I do have smart thermostats on my AC units, so that helps.  and I participate in "demand control" programs through my utility.  But I'm powerless about my heating.  Makes me sad.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Support Pollution Reduction
    What environmental factors affect human health in your region, and how do they affect it?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/18/2018 4:49 AM
    Wow, I always thought NYC water was the best in the world. . . then I saw that almost everywhere in the area it was listed as impaired.  It was vague what that really meant, but it was shocking to me. 

    Also, interesting to find out that my number one cancer risk was formaldehyde.  See attached picture.  And what the heck. . . Benzene?  Scary.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Learn More about Food Deserts
    What are the implications of access to nutritious food for a community?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/17/2018 5:13 AM
    This was interesting learning about food deserts.  I know they exist but the map was amazing.  I panned all around the US to see what's what.  

    Although, NYC doesn't seem to have a problem. . . god bless the Bodega.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Launch a Recycling Program
    How might thinking creatively help us address big systems problems differently?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/17/2018 5:04 AM
    We started the K-cup recycling program in our office.  We divert about 30 lbs per day.  Our office is over 1100 people.  

  • Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/08/2018 2:54 PM
    This was fun, my daughter teaching me about recycling.

    • Manda Magee's avatar
      Manda Magee 10/17/2018 5:36 AM
      I had a video I was trying to post. . . my daughter was telling me "eggs don't go in the recycling mommy."  It was cute, sorry you all can't see it.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns
    Who is most affected by environmental degration and/or environmental irresponsiblity in your community? How are they affected?

    Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 10/03/2018 3:37 AM
    It was interesting to see the specifics of my area.  Living in NYC, I know the potential contaminates are higher than the US average, but it was nice to see that in some specifics we have less.  I live in the house I do because it's across from a park and there's less traffic on the street at my front door.   But I have to pay for it, about $500 a month more than other apartments.  Better air quality housing has always been higher in price in the same region.  

    The area of the report was 3.14 sq.miles, which in NYC is huge.  There's a big difference in demographics and environment just a few blocks away.  I wish I could have reduced the area for the report.  

    Most interesting was that the traffic proximity and volume was 1700, which was less than the state average of 2400.  Respiratory hazard and cancer risks were higher, as expected in NYC, its shocking to have it be double that of the state average.  

  • Manda Magee's avatar
    Manda Magee 9/17/2018 4:26 AM
    Starting to get revved up for this seasons challenge.  It lines up nicely with our annual green week October 22nd to the 26th.  We'll find out what our final ranking is in the middle of the week.  

    Also looking forward to having a larger team.  We are going to be more ambitious about getting members this year.   My goal is over 200 members.  

    • Manda Magee's avatar
      Manda Magee 10/17/2018 12:33 PM
      Yes, so excited we met our goal. . . . although we then targeted a new goal of 318 people, or 5% of our staff.  


    • Irene Matthews's avatar
      Irene Matthews 10/17/2018 12:30 PM
      I think you have met your goal and I look forward to next year. You are definitely inspiring and I have changed my lifestyle. Thank you.