Choices for Sustainable Living Discussion Course

Veronica Kowchai

"I am committed to living a sustainable lifestyle and making conscious choices that prioritize the well-being of the planet and future generations. My mission is to inspire and empower others to join me on this journey towards sustainability, creating a positive impact on the environment and fostering a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
306 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

14

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

14

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

21

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

720

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched

Veronica's actions

Food

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Visions of Sustainability

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

Consumption and Economy

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Ecological Principles

Recycle Everything I Can

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Support Local Businesses

I will buy from local businesses instead of shopping online.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

A Call to Sustainability

Pay Attention to Current Events

I will watch or read the news each day this week with a specific focus on sustainability issues and happenings.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

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

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

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) each day this week.

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

Consumption and Economy

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) free of processed foods each day this week.

COMPLETED
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?

Veronica Kowchai 11/08/2023 5:59 PM

Your Current Total -10,438
New Total After Your Planned Actions -4,597

U.S. Average -66,746

Based on the carbon footprint calculator my household (4 person) CO2 Emissions is 10,428 which is lower than the U.S. average.

The following are suggestions I can do to reduce my CO2 emissions. This will also save me money.

Turn down heating thermostat on winter nights by 2℉
Turn up A/C thermostat in summer by 5℉
Replace 8 incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR lights
Enable the power management features on your computer
Replace your furnace or boiler with ENERGY STAR models
Replace your window with ENERGY STAR models
Use Green Power for 10% of your electricity
Replace Vehicle 1 with one that gets MPG
Your Estimated Totals savings: | $350 | 5,841 lbs.

I can easily make the following changes:

Replace 8 incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR lights

Energy Star lights are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They use up to 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer. This can result in significant energy savings and lower electricity bills and is designed to provide high-quality light output. Energy Star lights may have a higher cost compared to incandescent bulbs but have longer lifespan and lower energy consumption can result in cost savings over time. I will spend less on replacement bulbs and see a reduction in electricity bills.

Enable the power management features on your computer

Power management features allow computers to enter sleep or hibernate mode when it's not in use. This helps reduce energy consumption and can result in significant energy savings over time.

Turn down heating thermostat on winter nights by 2℉

Lowering the thermostat by 2 degrees can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower your heating bills. By using less energy for heating, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 11/07/2023 6:01 PM

I recently decided to track my receipt so I can monitor my expense and make better sustainable practices. Tracking my clothing expenses revealed how much I spend on fast fashion items that contribute to environmental degradation and unethical labor practices. This inspired me to opt for sustainable fashion choices like buying second-hand clothing, supporting ethical and eco-friendly brands, or even embracing minimalism and reducing my overall clothing consumption. Minimalism encourages to be intentional with my purchases. Before buying something new, i consider its necessity, quality, and environmental impact. This mindset helps me to avoid impulse purchases and supports sustainable and ethical brands.By simplifying our lives and reducing our possessions, we become more conscious of the resources we consume and the waste we generate. This awareness can inspire us to make more sustainable choices in other areas of our lives.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 10/19/2023 8:19 PM

Milton Friedman advocates solely shareholder value, but there are other perspectives that emphasize social responsibility and empowerment. The song I chose is “Formation” by Beyoncé. Released in 2016, “Formation” is a bold and politically charged song that explores issues of race, identity, and self-determination. The song's lyrics and underlying message reflect the idea that companies should strive for social impact and inclusivity. Beyoncé's "Formation" celebrates black culture, resilience, and self-empowerment. The song challenges social norms and encourages individuals to embrace their heritage and identity. Companies can be successful if they do the same: empower communities, promote diversity and inclusion, and contribute positively to society.

The lyrics of "Formation" touch on themes of economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. Lines like “I dream it, I work hard and smash it until I own it” is a great way to talk about financial independence and it emphasizes the importance of success. The song also emphasizes the need to use success to encourage and create change. Companies should look beyond profit maximization and consider their role in promoting social justice, equality and empowerment. This song reminds us that companies have the power to drive change and contribute to a more inclusive and just society.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 10/14/2023 3:35 PM

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing focuses on companies that prioritize sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices. Investing in ESG stocks or bonds can align your investments with your values and contribute to positive environmental and social impacts. If money is no object, I would invest in ESG stocks or bonds because this can be a way to support companies that are actively working towards a more sustainable and equitable future. It allows you to have a positive influence on the world while potentially earning financial returns but it's important to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.
According to Forbes article “Sustainable investing now counts for one in four dollars

Almost 25% of investment in the United States now goes into ESG companies. Between 2016 and 2018, investments in such companies surged with 38% growth and now total $12 trillion, according to the US SIF forum for sustainable and responsible investment”.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 9/28/2023 8:38 PM

One of my sustainability goals is "I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety". This can be challenging since there are so many products and services available which can be tempting to over consume. To accomplish this goal, I make a weekly plan of the essentials items I will need such as food, medical supplies and personal products. I opt mostly for organic products and nontoxic cleaning products that are labelled as hypoallergenic because of my allergies. The cost for organic products can be very costly but by limiting my spending and only buying the necessities I am able to be within budget.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 9/28/2023 8:04 PM

This course has been very educational and empowering. This class has made me reflect on my lifestyle and how I can make sustainable choices. Water is essential for our daily lives and can be costly. I recently installed a low flow showerhead and replaced pipes that were leaking. This simple step will help conserve water, save me money on my bill, conserve energy and help maintain a healthy ecosystem. By conserving water, less energy is needed for pumping, treatment and heating which as a result reduces greenhouse gas emissions. With less water extracted from natural sources, it helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem for wildlife that depend on water sources.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 9/27/2023 2:33 PM

We all have a role in helping to save and preserve the environment. Adapting to sustainable living in every aspect of our lives will improve a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. Living in New York can be challenging living a sustainable lifestyle because of the weather, different seasons and large population. I contribute positively by using energy efficient utilities, recycling, converse water, consume organic, hypoallergenic eco-friendly products and support local businesses that prioritize sustainability.

Conserving energy by using energy efficient utilities such as turning off lights and electronics when not in use. I have changed my bulbs to LED bulbs, these bulbs are more energy efficient as they use 80% less energy and last much longer. I recently had to buy a washer and dryer and was introduced to Energy Star label by the salesperson; many appliances now have this label which indicates that they meet energy efficiency standards. The washing machine I purchased has features like a load sensor which adjusts water level based on load. This helps us use less water and conserve energy. During the summer I would air dry laundry which saves me money on my electrical bill. The challenge is energy saving utility are more expensive.

NYC has a great recycling program that offers curbside pickup from residents to recycle. I appreciate the fact that we can separate our garbage from cardboard, plastic and food scraps. This in a sense educates households on what products are recyclable. E-waste is a program where we drop off electronic items to specific locations. Water conversation is essential to our daily lives and can be costly also. In the summer I plant a small garden with herbs and vegetables. To conserve water, I would collect rainwater to water plants and outdoor use. I have installed low flow showerheads and ensure pipes are not leaking. These simple practices save me money.

I have struggled with allergies and asthma most of my life therefore I started making healthy and sustainable choices that are both environmentally friendly and helpful to my health. I choose nontoxic cleaning products that are labelled as hypoallergenic. Some material harbor allergens and with research I started trying organic cotton covers for mattresses and pillowcases which minimize exposure to dust mites. I enjoy going to local farms during the summer and purchasing fresh fruits from local farms. Choosing fresh products can help control the quality and safety of the food we choose. The challenge is finding allergy friendly products, and it takes a lot of research to find sustainable options. The cost is also high for these products, but budgeting and prioritizing what is important we make sustainable choices.

Read More
Veronica Kowchai 9/27/2023 2:31 PM

My name is Veronica. I am excited to be joining this blog where I can share my experience and insights of my life towards the goal of a sustainable lifestyle. I migrated from Guyana ten years ago and have always been aware of how important it is to make sustainable choices for a greener and healthier world. Guyana is located on northern eastern coast of South America and blessed with many natural resources and diverse ecosystems. Growing up in Guyana had many challenges such as poverty which taught me to appreciate nature and community. The US market we are fortunate to have many options and choices as companies are faced with competition and focused on sustainability practices.

I am committed to minimizing my carbon footprint by being more educated and informed about my choices for a sustainable lifestyle. In the summer I enjoy planting a small garden with herbs and vegetables which are organic and very healthy. The excess I would freeze for the winter season by making mint and season blocks. I believe that we should all practice a zero-waste lifestyle by recycling, reducing water consumption and using renewable energy such as solar products. I am hoping to learn practical tips and ideas from this blog.

Read More