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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Thomas Poston's avatar

Thomas Poston

Deloitte Green Dot

"Renew my commitment to living as sustainably as I can"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 564 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    440
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    locally sourced meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    331
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    22
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Thomas'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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Heat and Cool Naturally

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 90 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

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

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 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 22
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

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 15 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 22
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?


  • Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/22/2018 7:31 AM
    Just a couple more days! Let's keep challenging ourselves 'til the very end!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Buy From a Farmers Market
    What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

    Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/22/2018 7:31 AM
    I am a long-time vegetarian, which helps me avoid contributing to the environmental harm caused by meat production. I could consider transitioning to veganism to further reduce the harms caused by my food choices.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

    Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/10/2018 2:21 PM
    Living in a city apartment, it's all too easy to spend my entire day inside, using electronic devices (my phone, my laptop) for much of the day. Spending more time outdoors reminds me of the physical specificity of my community and allows me to be fully present for a moment.


  • Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/10/2018 2:19 PM
    Can't believe the challenge is already over one-third complete!

  • Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/08/2018 10:30 AM
    Got off track with my check-ins (but not my challenges!) this weekend, but back at it this Monday!
  • 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?

    Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/08/2018 10:29 AM
    While everyone in a dense urban community like Washington faces air, noise, and light pollution on a daily basis, lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to house more harmful sites of environmental damage, which can be detrimental to their health and quality of life.

  • Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/04/2018 12:21 PM
    Taking a moment to practice gratitude for Earth sounds a little saccharine, but it has really increased the attention I give to the green spaces around me as I go about my day-to-day.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Skip the Straw
    How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

    Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/04/2018 8:52 AM
    Refuse is fundamental. Incorporating a refuse mindset when thinking about grocery and household purchases, as well as purchases on the go - e.g., at coffee shops/takeout restaurants - is key when trying to reduce overall waste footprint.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water 5-Minute Showers
    Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?

    Thomas Poston's avatar
    Thomas Poston 10/03/2018 8:42 AM
    To go even further, I can make my showers even shorter and reduce their temperature to conserve energy.