Natalie Cohen

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will spend 5 minutes researching cattle feed and manure management, or visiting a dairy farm to learn about their farming practices.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.

I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Drawdown Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation, and commit to reducing my food waste throughout the challenge.

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will set up or join a recycling program at my workplace or school.

I will plan ahead to use paper products only made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

I will spend 10 minutes researching and shopping from 5 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

Using the Seafood Watch guide, I will feature a sustainable seafood ingredient in a new recipe.

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

I will avoid buying and using 1 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will watch Drawdown’s Climate Solutions 101 and share what I learned with others.