Ecochallenge.org

Choices for Sustainable Living Discussion Course

Paul Gramble

Sheridan's Sustainability Crusaders

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
456 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

7.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

14

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

14

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

mile

traveled by bus
UP TO

1.0

mile

traveled by foot
UP TO

15

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

28

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

270

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

1.0

person

helped
UP TO

2.0

petitions

signed
UP TO

1.0

neighbor

met

Paul's actions

Consumption and Economy

Watch a Documentary

I will watch one of the films suggested in the additional resources and discuss it with friends or family.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Learn About Alternatives to the GDP

I will research alternatives (like Gross National Happiness) to measuring economic livelihood and the health of a nation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Personal Waste Audit

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

Support Local Food Systems

I will source 2 meal(s) from local producers each day this week. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

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

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Say No to Plastic

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. This week, I'll say "no" to plastic bags at the store and plastic straws in all of my drinks.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) 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

Community

Meet My Neighbors

I will meet 1 new neighbor(s) this week.

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

Visit a Local Farm

I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Consumption and Economy

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Advocate for Greener Vehicles

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 1 mile(s) each day this week instead of driving and avoid sending up to 9.93 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Public Transit

I will use public transit 1 mile(s) each day this week and avoid sending up to 5.45 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Support Local Businesses

I will buy from local businesses instead of shopping online.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Pick Up Litter

I will pick up litter on my street and ask others to join me in taking care of our neighborhood.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Help Others

I will offer to help 1 person(s) who are in need this week.

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

Zero-Waste Cooking

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero waste each day this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

A Call to Sustainability

Sign a Petition

I will sign petitions in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

A Call to Sustainability

Explore My Area

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

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?

Paul Gramble 9/30/2023 8:49 AM

To begin, I'd want to say that the challenges I've been doing have been fantastic and eye-opening, as there are so many things that can be done to achieve sustainability and aid in the development of a better, cleaner planet. That takes me to "my why" for participating in the challenge. First, I had to join in order to participate in the class; second, I expected it to push me to limits I had never experienced before; and last, I expected it to help create a more sustainable world. Moving on to the actions that I select. I wanted to see what it was like to do things I would never have considered doing before. If these actions would be simple or difficult, or if I might persuade others to join me and engage.

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