I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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
Waste
Skip the Straw
Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 6 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.
COMPLETED 6
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
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 10 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 10 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Health
Go get a check up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Waste
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.
COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will spend at least 30 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
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Water
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 20 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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
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.
This competition is a great initiative to spread the awareness of our and our environment's well-being. I had a great experience being part of my team in this challenge and am incorporating my lessons learnt aiming to improve my lifestyle and be harmonious with nature. Looking forward to next year's challenge!
The brutality of human plastic consumption on our environment concerns me the most. Many natural habitats, where even humans have not reached yet, have been severely affected by plastic waste. Plastic is also in our soil affecting local crops. This atrocity of single use plastic has to put to an end!
My nearest natural bodies of water are rivers and lakes. The runoff picks up pollutants from the streets and parking lots and dumps them in the water bodies. Excess runoff might overwhelm local infrastructure to cause sewage overflows. This inturn can kill aquatic life and create algae blooms that can suffocate fisheries.
Fixing leaky faucets is one of the tasks that we can easily put off until later. Good job on completing this action! How will you use the momentum from completing this action to increase your water efficiency?
I would increase my water efficiency by doing the following: 1. installing a shower head that is water efficient 2. watering the lawn on alternate days instead of everyday 3. installing water efficient washer and dishwasher
By being conscious of how much water is used for the daily tasks, one can filter the activities based on dire needs. Installing a rain sensitive water sprinkler will really help reduce the number of the times the lawn is watered. Using dishwasher in place of hand washing the dishes will also help save water consumption.
Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?
Other ways to reduce carbon emissions: 1. Car pool as much as possible 2. Work from home whenever possible 3. Unplug devices when battery is full 4. Line dry the clothes if possible 5. Plant a garden
Why is it so difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places? How might your experience with this challenge impact your future consumption and choices?
Its difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places because we have become so self centered and completely focused on catering only to our or our loved ones needs. With our extremely busy lives and multitasking behaviors, the sensitivity to the impacts on others has been rubbed off of us and we don't even have the time to pay attention to the world around us. Being aware of the harmful consequences of my purchases on the environment really helps and affects my future choices in a way to be conscious of it. I will definitely pay more attention to what I buy from now.
Below is a list of environmental factors that affect human health in my region: 1. Air pollution is one of the important factors that's prevalent. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a wide range of effects, from eye irritation and runny nose to cancer and birth defects. Air pollution can also cause heart and lung disease, and brain and nerve damage. 2. The use of toxic pesticides to manage pest problems has become a common problem to human health as well. Pesticides have been linked to a wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer, reproductive harm, endocrine disruption and ADHD in children.
I joined the challenge to support my WSP team in a venture that would benefit myself and the entire cosmos at the same time. I am getting to know a great deal about some of the mistakes that we are making on a daily basis and how it is impacting our environment. I think its time to correct our mistakes and bring in changes that will work towards our overall well-being.
I practice self care by eating right with lots of fruits and vegetables and at the same time everyday, doing my daily yoga and meditation, being happy and avoiding stress.
Meghan Jones 10/24/2018 9:32 AMWow, those pictures really make me think about the impact of even tiny pieces of plastic. Thank you for sharing, Chaitra!