Alex Miller
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 136 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO5.0conversationswith people
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO210minutesspent outdoors
Alex's actions
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.
Water
Learn About My Watershed
I will find local resources for learning about my watershed and the particular water issues my region faces.
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.
Water
Watch The Story of Bottled Water
I will watch The Story of Bottled Water to learn more about bottled water's impacts on the environment.
Ecological Principles
Practice Gratitude for Earth
This week, I will spend 30 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.
A Call to Sustainability
Learn About Local Issues
I will find out what local sustainability issues are most urgent in my region, including both social and environmental justice concerns.
A Call to Sustainability
Talk To Others
I will tell 5 people why sustainability is important to me and what my vision for a sustainable world is.
A Call to Sustainability
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a movie about a sustainability issue I would like to know more about.
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?
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Alex Miller 5/04/2021 6:14 PMBecause my job is 20 minutes away by car (with no traffic), it was difficult to cut down on my transportation this past week. I did carpool a couple of times and made sure to run all my errands in one trip instead of multiple. I just got my bike refurbished, so I'm really hoping to do any local commutes by bike this summer. I also made sure to pay attention to when my car was running while parked - I nanny and the pickup area is so congested. Instead of waiting with my car running, I found a shady spot nearby and waited there. -
Alex Miller 4/27/2021 6:06 PMOver the last week, I've been really conscientious about my water usage - everything from cooling used boiling water to water my plants, taking shorter showers, and recycling as much water for household chores as possible. I had a bunch of laundry to do, so I did the loads using cold water on the lowest pressure setting possible, and then dried them on clothing racks in the sun. There are so many small steps at every point of the day that requires constant effort to reduce water use. I'm also trying to be really intentional with my shopping, both food and items, as I'm realizing more and more each week how much my dollar counts as a vote. -
Alex Miller 4/25/2021 10:37 AMWe just got our CSA box from a local family and I am so excited to cook with all this produce this week! Everything looks so good and I'm so happy there's minimal to no packaging for every item. The family also takes back everything - boxes, cartons, etc. and sends them back to the farmers so they can be re-used.
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Alex Miller 4/19/2021 7:27 PMThis week, I researched CSA boxes in my area and placed an order for one coming next weekend from a farm 20 minutes away. I'm really excited to be surprised by produce and find new flavors and dishes that aren't in my usual rotation. While I already eat meat-free, I tried to incorporate low-waste proteins like beans, legumes, and leafy greens rather than pre-prepared meals or takeout. For the most part, I really focused on limiting my food waste where possible, including reusing things like carrot peels for my garden and rice water to fertilize my plants. I've found so many tips and tricks online for ways to reuse scraps, and I'm working toward getting my whole family involved in composting so that when I return back to Tacoma our home will be self-sustaining. -
Alex Miller 4/12/2021 9:33 PMI think I am mostly environmentally cautious (reducing single use plastic, buying second-hand clothes, eating plant based, biking/walking when possible, etc.), but there's always room to grow. I think for the rest of the course I'd really like to explore the larger and more communal work that needs to be done and finding the ways I can actively participate in that. It was interesting to see how many times the intersection of environment and economy was mentioned in the discussion with Rep. Kilmer. It really seems as if for rapid and wide-scale changes to take place in the United States, there needs to be an economic incentive. I'm hoping in the next 10 years, there are real and effective discussions on a national level about what economic systemic changes need to be made (I just don't think adding tax incentives and praying all will be fixed by 2050 is enough).
