Ecochallenge.org

Choices for Sustainable Living Discussion Course

caitlin whitaker

Actioneers of EVPP 480

"Reducing my carbon footprint and advocating for policies that benefit the planet!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
526 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

217

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

15

conversations

with people
UP TO

8.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

15

people

helped
UP TO

140

minutes

spent outdoors

caitlin's actions

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host a House Party

I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an environmental issue that matters to me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 8 hour(s) in my community this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Help Others

I will offer to help 15 person(s) who are in need this week.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Ecological Principles

Practice Gratitude for Earth

This week, I will spend 20 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Consumption and Economy

Support Local Businesses

I will buy from local businesses instead of shopping online.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research Better Transportation

I will research one of the solutions presented in this week's session on Transportation and see if there are any groups in my community already doing this work.

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

Buy Only What I Need

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

UNCOMPLETED
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

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 21 meatless meal(s) and/or 10 vegan meal(s) 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?

caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:11 AM

In my Economics of Developing Nations class we have been reading about the global alternatives for studying "productivity" or how well off a country is. We have been discussing alternatives to GDP which measures a country's production levels such as happiness levels, human development, water quality, maternal care, etc to determine the success of a country's productivity.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:07 AM

I am graduating in May and have begun looking for and contacting non-profits in the area and out of the area that I am interested in volunteering for. I have been looking at different organizations that are involved in work with environmental economics and resource conservation.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:05 AM

On the 15th of this month my roommates and I are having a holiday party where we are going to have some friends over to cook a healthy dinner and watch a documentary on food waste. We are hoping to discuss some ways we as a group of peers can work to motivate each other to cut down our food waste and become more aware of our spending and consumption habits.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:04 AM

This week I volunteered 8 hours to help set up, assist during, and disassemble a coat drive. The coat drive was available for anyone in need that was lacking proper clothing for the upcoming winter months.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:02 AM

For the past three weeks I have spent over 25 hours volunteering at a local coat drive to help those in need get the proper clothing (coats, gloves, hats) that they need for the upcoming winter months.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:01 AM

For the past two weeks I have been keeping track of my spending habits. The majority of my purchases have been from eating out at restaurants and buying food to go. To reduce this I am going to try to buy more bulk food items and commit to cooking and eating at home to reduce my food waste and high spending habits.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 9:00 AM

I have been attempting to shop at more local markets and grocery stores in the area that provide the sources of their produce and paying attention to where my food is coming and going.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 8:59 AM

The past few weeks I have been meal prepping and planning according to fresh produce that has been in season and what has been available for sale at local grocery stores and at the Fairfax Farmers Market. I try to stick to healthy grains, vegetables, and a source of protein and construct my weekly recipes every Sunday evening.

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caitlin whitaker 12/07/2018 8:57 AM

I have become more aware of the public transportation options in Fairfax and on good weather days have been opting to walk to the grocery store and to school as well.

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caitlin whitaker 10/19/2018 11:42 AM

I eat mostly a plant-based diet with the exception of some cheese and occasional meat products, usually only when it's involved in cultural eating. When I am trying the food from different countries (pork in Salvadorian pupusas last week for example) I will usually make an exception. Other than that, my grocery shopping is limited to fruits, veggies, grains, stuff like that. I buy locally when I can but that is easier said than done with a busy schedule.

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