Angelica Shaw
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 505 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO21plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO6.0petitionssigned
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UP TO3.0documentarieswatched
Angelica's actions
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.
A Call to Sustainability
Research Local Organizations
I will learn what local organizations are working on sustainability issues and how I can get involved.
A Call to Sustainability
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a movie about a sustainability issue I would like to know more about.
A Call to Sustainability
Sign a Petition
I will sign petitions in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.
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.
Ecological Principles
Reduce My Footprint
I will calculate my ecological footprint and talk with my family or roommates about way we can reduce our negative enviromental impact.
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.
Community
Pick Up Litter
I will pick up litter on my street and ask others to join me in taking care of our neighborhood.
Community
Connect with a Nonprofit
I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Community
Join my Neighborhood Association
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
Community
Attend a Meeting
This week, I will attend one local event or meeting concerning a current issue in my community such as a planning meeting, a town hall, or a training on taking action.
Community
Sign a Petition
I will sign a petition in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.
Transportation
Improve a Bus Stop
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.
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.
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.
Water
Learn About My Watershed
I will find local resources for learning about my watershed and the particular water issues my region faces.
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.
Food
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 5 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day this week.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
Food
Whole Foods Diet
I will enjoy 5 meal(s) free of processed foods each day this week.
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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Angelica Shaw 10/19/2018 4:12 AMThis week I signed three online petitions relating to issues within the state of Virginia. One of the Petitions I signed was a petition against the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which if approved, will negatively impact the surrounding land / family ties to the land, water supplies/water quality, and ecosystems.The second petition I signed, “Petition to Restore Parole in Virginia” aims at reinstating parole in the state of Virginia. There are more than 3,500 prisoners in the state who are eligable for parole, but there is a slight chance they will be granted it, since in 1995 parole was abolished in VA. Before finding this petition, I had no idea that parole was expundged in Virginia. Although this petition seems to be pretty old, it still has relevance, since parole is still not permitted.The last petition I signed, “Pass a Virginia law to protect dogs in harsh weather” is advocating legal protections / regulations for dogs who are left chained outside in harsh weather conditions (below 35° or above 85°). I think this could be an important piece of legislation because it has the potential to reduce the amount of pups that are neglected by their parents / care takers, and would hopefully hold people more accountable for their actions (or inactions) regaring this problem. -
Angelica Shaw 9/25/2018 7:10 PMThis week I watched the documentary "Terra" on Netflix. I had come across the movie poster on Netflix previously, but had never seen it until now. The film is visually stunning and documents the ever-evolving natural existence of species on land as well as in the sea. The film explores and records life on earth, ranging from fungi to giraffes to almond trees in California (and what kind of effect climate change is having on them). This french documentary is one of the most beautiful nature/environmental movies I have ever watched! -
Angelica Shaw 9/20/2018 10:33 AMCSL 2 Reflection:Q: How can you apply ecological principles to your life to make your ecological footprint smaller?1. Networks: Networks can be applied to human relationships as well. One way that humans can use networks in order to reduce our ecological footprint is by sharing different tools and materials, instead of individually owning one of each. For example, some houses each have their own lawn mowers, tool boxes, carpet cleaner, etc. We can take advantage of networks to reduce the amount of items we each own and use → by sharing different resources, we are reducing our consumption as well as building relationships locally.2. Nested Systems: In my building, there’s a free coffee machine. Although some people bring their own cups, most use the single-use cup, lid, and sleeve when getting their hot drink. By placing a flyer or reminder next to the machine explaining why a reusable cup is a better option, it could influence some users to make the switch. Even though this nested system is on a small-scale, it could lead to changes extending elsewhere, such as workplaces. Individual system → larger system3. Cycles: I can reduce my ecological footprint by recognizing that “members of an ecological community depend on the exchange of resources in continual cycles” (Stone). One way I can implement this in my own life is by eating in season. Because different crops/produce are only grown during a specific time of year (constant cycles), eating seasonally (as well as locally) and in alignment with the cycles of nature, it can reduce the amount of miles needed to reach my plate.4. Flows: One way that flows can be used to reduce ecological footprint is by following a plant-based diet. As stated in the article, “The constant flow of energy from the sun to Earth sustains life and drives most ecological cycles...In each transfer, some energy is lost as heat, requiring an ongoing energy flow into the system” (Stone). Energy is saved by directly eating the plants or plant-based foods vs. eating meat where energy went into feeding animals, but some was lost due to the transfer.5. Development: As time goes on, things change and progress. Although development can negatively impact my own ecological footprint, it can also be used to make it smaller. One way I can utilize development in order to decrease my ecological footprint is to incorporate reusable items in my life (food containers, produce bags, water, utensils, etc.) Using these items allows us to adapt to new scenarios.6. Dynamic Balance: One way I could possibly integrate this in my day to day life is to set an eco goal among my family/friends (reduce waste, try to purchase second hand goods, etc.) and even if the distribution among my family/friends is not equal, if one person is doing better in one area, but not as well in another, the other members will balance them out.The Ecological Principles written by Michael Stone provide valuable ingredients everyone can use in order to better understand the inner workings of natural systems and processes. By looking at the different ways nature manages itself, we have the ability to create similar sustainable systems. -
Angelica Shaw 9/06/2018 5:22 PMCSL 1 Reflection:From this course, I hope to gain a better sense of actions (on the local, national, or global level) that I can take in order to create a more sustainable future. I also hope to gain a greater perspective on the different ways that people around the world are practicing sustainability. Even after reading Chapter 1 of CSL, it is evident that there are many different viewpoints when it comes to sustainability. By the end of the semester, a goal of mine is to learn how indigenous communities and modern society can work efficiently with one another, exchanging ideas and increasing the dialogue between different groups on ways to address environmental obstacles we are facing today. Additionally, I’m hoping to learn different ways that art has transformed and influenced sustainable actions. In terms of behavior changes, a goal of mine is to be more mindful / decrease the amount of electricity/energy I use. Lastly, one thing I can contribute to my group is my own personal/professional experiences as well as my my background in photography.