Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

David Rappaport

SouthCoast Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
507 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

public official or leader

contacted
UP TO

3.0

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

6.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

10

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

18

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

105

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

6.0

locally sourced meals

consumed

David's actions

Create Your Own Action

Education

Become Sustainability Minor Graduated UMass Dartmouth

COMPLETED 3
DAILY 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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Nature

Explore My Area

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

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate for More Food Options

I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 2 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 3
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
Water Fix Leaky Faucets

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?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 10:01 AM

The leaky faucet that was replaced has increased my awareness of all the water fixtures and appliances in my home. They are all under the microscope now.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 10:00 AM

One comes to appreciate nature and their surroundings and how it differs when we travel.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Meet My Local Farmers

When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 9:59 AM

Closed-loop system work best in any community.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Locally-Sourced Meals

If you were to only eat what is in season locally, what would be the hardest for you to give up?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 9:58 AM

Shellfish, due to the fact I'm 'ol salt.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Choose Organic Ingredients

Can organic farming feed the world? Which side of the argument do you fall on? Why?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 9:57 AM

I am all for organic farming, but it takes a huge effort to force the change. And it may not be the most cost-effective solution in some countries.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Advocate for More Food Options

Given the impact of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on both the natural world and our food systems, what do you think about the use of these products in agriculture?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 9:55 AM

I feel organic gardening in the wave of the future.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Whole Foods Diet

Michael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?

David Rappaport 10/24/2018 9:54 AM

Indeed Michael Pollan was correct as medical mary jane has taken over some countries.

Read More
David Rappaport 10/24/2018 7:35 AM

It's not easy being green, but I am a loyal SUS Minion.

Read More
David Rappaport 10/22/2018 10:00 AM

I am a Sustainability Minor graduate of UMass D. I have come to practice all I have learned during my sustainability studies.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Recycle Everything I Can

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

David Rappaport 10/22/2018 9:59 AM

There are local "scrappers" who circle around and will take any junk metal, they can cash that in at the scrap yard. Most steel and copper are acceptable at the scrap yard and pays in return.

The most difficult part of recycling is the recent change local towns have made on what is not accepted any longer. It causes my trash bag to swell.

Read More