Sawyer Gowen

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 volunteer 3 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region to learn about the importance of wetlands.

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

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

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

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

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.

I will visit seafoodwatch.org and download the app to commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.

I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

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 complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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

3 hours of volunteering to restore a local forested area

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, including electronics and metals.

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.