Skip to main content
October 1 - October 31, 2023
Dave Hill's avatar

Dave Hill

Colt DCS - Net Zero Hero Team

"Join the echo challenge and make sustainability a lifestyle this month. Let's create a better future for our planet, one eco-friendly step at a time.""

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,142 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1
    sustainable seafood meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    615
    miles
    traveled by bike
  • UP TO
    1
    carbon footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    254
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    3.3
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1,803
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    1
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    3
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1,225
    minutes
    spent learning

Dave's actions

Share Your Story

Share Your Aha Moment

Record and share a video describing your aha moment during Drawdown Ecochallenge through the resource link.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Choose Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Advocate For More Packaging Options

Multiple Industry Solutions

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Learn about Carbon Offsets

I will spend 20 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Test Drive an Electric Bike

Electric Bicycles

I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Advocate For Greener Vehicles

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Smart Seafood Choices

Ocean Farming

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Cook With Sustainable Seafood

Improved Fisheries

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Talk With a Local Grocer

Improved Fisheries

I will ask my local seafood market or grocery store if their seafood is sustainable and share the Seafood Watch resources so they can stock sustainable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Go Paperless

Recycled Paper

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Recycle Everything I Can

Recycling; Recycled Metals; Recycled Plastics

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.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket

Refrigerant Management

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 120 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Practice the 5 Rs

Recycling

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Green My Job

Industry

Using Drawdown's Job Function Action Guide, I will learn about climate actions I can take at work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Calculate My Household Carbon Footprint

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

Multiple Transportation Solutions

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go by Bike

Bicycle Infrastructure

I will commute by bike 10 miles each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 45 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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?


  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/31/2023 1:04 AM
    Today marks the end of our journey, but it's not the end of the road. There are still many exciting adventures ahead of us. I plan to continue with my habits, learning, and sharing because collaboration is key to success. I would like to express my gratitude to Anthea and the rest of the Colt Data Centre Services team for being a part of my journey. I hope you gained something valuable from this experience and being a part of the Echochallenge team.

    I am looking forward to making this event a more permanent and perhaps an annual one with more participants.

    To the 76 individuals who took part in this challenge, congratulations on your amazing effort. Keep up the good work because every little bit counts and still makes a difference.




  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/30/2023 3:04 AM
    What are the advantages of sustainability and completing the EcoChallenge with the ultimate goal to attain Net Zero – Final reflection.

    Continuing and Incorporating sustainability into our business strategy is imperative. The EcoChallenge is an excellent way to educate and inform us on how to lessen our company's carbon footprint while also saving money to improve the bottom line. However, the ultimate objective is to achieve net zero, which entails balancing our carbon emissions with carbon removal. This can be accomplished by adapting and promoting energy-efficient practices such as renewable energy sources, and carbon offsets. This is the toughest piece and want I need to learn more about, offsetting. Is that not passing the problem on? Another consideration.
    By continuing to prioritize our sustainability efforts and establishing quantifiable objectives, we can work towards a brighter, greener future for everyone. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. It must be a long-term perspective that becomes a part of our daily lives and of our future generations. I truly believe education and collaboration is the key to making a difference. Keeping an open mind and learning from past experiences.

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/27/2023 2:54 AM
    One of my final reflections as we get close to the end of the challenge with a wrap-up of my own thoughts- emphasis on what's important and lessons learned.

    Let's get real: Sustainability is a hot potato that needs all hands on deck! We need to ditch those bad habits and flex our green muscles to save the planet. It's time to pause, take a deep breath, and embrace the present moment with a balanced approach to life. Let's be mindful of our actions and make choices that not only benefit us but also our precious environment. Education is key to unlocking the sustainability puzzle and helps us understand how our actions impact the planet. With a pinch of creativity and a dash of innovation, we can make small changes that pave the way to a healthier planet.

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/26/2023 8:06 AM
    Running in the rain is so refreshing - on a cold UK morning - thought of the day :-)

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/25/2023 12:52 AM
    It's incredible how one conversation can inspire another person's thoughts. When asking technical questions about power in the data centre, I find myself thinking with two hats on. One as a senior service manager and the second as a sustainability advocate, merging the two. Thinking laterally. Thank you, @Kenny Green, for taking the time to explain the difference between MVA and MW and how to get a reasonable view of how we measure this at different architectural stages - fascinating. Also, thank you for the book recommendation. Purchased today

    The Environmental Design Pocketbook


    • Kenny Green's avatar
      Kenny Green 10/26/2023 8:34 AM
      You are very welcome. I hope you find some inspirational ideas in the book.

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/25/2023 12:22 AM
    I just completed a further action today - making a video of my thoughts and reflecting on my learning. It's easy to overcomplicate things. Sometimes, it helps to take a step back and reflect. My thoughts blow on what I based my response on.
    "Sustainability is a topic that has become increasingly important in today's world. Building good habits and healthy practices is essential for ensuring we do our part to protect the environment.
    Living for the day is also important, but it is also crucial to consider our actions' long-term impact. We must balance our daily activities and their environmental impact to make a real difference. Education plays a vital role in this process, as it helps us understand the impact of our actions better and constantly think about ways to improve what we do daily. By taking small steps in our daily lives, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations."

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/23/2023 12:30 AM
    Good morning Colt DCS Team. Was thinking and looking up some Monday morning inspiration. These struck me, and one or two are my favourites - enjoy.
    1. "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan
    2. "The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth." - Chief Seattle
    3. "We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly." - Anne Marie Bonneau
    4. "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." - Chinese Proverb
    5. "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/21/2023 1:27 AM
    Another day and pushing through the challenge. It's all about taking those steps and continuing by building the habits. They will make a difference. Every small step adds up. Look at what we have been able to achieve as a team already. Well done everyone. Keep at it. Think about what you will do once the challenge finishes. How has the experience changed what you do today and what you will do tomorrow?

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/19/2023 2:00 AM
    "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan.
    Food for thought and just e reminder, we have the chance to make a difference, even if they are small changes.

    • Dave Hill's avatar
      Dave Hill 10/30/2023 2:30 AM
      Totally agree Mary. The biggest challenge is the collaboration required to make all the companies see that they all have a part to play. We need to help each other to achieve the ultimate goal of net zero. Not only achieve but continue. Making and keeping those habits is a lifestyle change.

    • Mary Hanks's avatar
      Mary Hanks 10/28/2023 1:11 PM
      You make such a good point. I hear a lot of folks say things like "What I do won't matter; it's up to the big companies." First, I can tell just by looking at the Impact page that this one Ecochallenge alone is making a difference. And second, if many of us contact those powerful companies, we might be able to influence them. We might as well try!

  • Dave Hill's avatar
    Dave Hill 10/19/2023 1:58 AM
    "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan