Mike Marxen

PCC Eco Panthers

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
280 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

180

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

210

minutes

spent learning

Mike's actions

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 180 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 60 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
Mike Marxen 10/30/2023 11:41 PM
By being aware of agricultural products that destroy peatlands such as palm oil, we can avoid those products and reduce demand. In 2019, I flew over palm oil plantations in SE Asia. I was shocked to see the massive extent of conversion of natural wetlands and forests to monotypic palm oil trees. It looked like cornfields in the upper Midwest. I will also support organizations like Nature Conservancy that identify, protect and restore peatlands.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Clean air, clean water and healthy food are just three reasons to care about regenerative agriculture. What are some other reasons? How could/does regenerative agriculture positively impact you and your community?
Mike Marxen 10/27/2023 11:39 AM
Regenerative Agriculture builds soils instead of depleting them through applying compost and reduced tilling and less soil erosion. Using organic techniques protects and promotes healthy ecosystems which benefits wildlife and biodiversity. Reducing fertilizer nitrates going into underground aquifers has a direct benefit to human health and communities through improved quality of drinking water. The more healthy our agricultural systems, the more healthy are communities will be.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Mike Marxen 10/26/2023 1:38 PM
I have been confused by food labeling dates! I now know that these are set by the producers and not required by the FDA. The phrases are for best quality and not for safety. I can make better decisions regarding the safety of food in my refrigerator and in pantry.

A "Best if Used By/Before" date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

A "Sell-By" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.

A “Use-By" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
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Mike Marxen 10/17/2023 4:09 PM
In the spirit of Ecochallenge and Drawdown, I learned about a nonprofit today by the name "As You Sow", (asyousow.org)
It is an organization that holds corporations accountable for environmental, social, and governance issues. It gives me hope to hear specific examples where corporations have been convinced to change practices and policies to reflect what people and shareholders want. Examples include McDonalds eliminating use of Styrofoam cups; diversifying management boards; and many examples of reducing impacts on climate. Here is a link to one of their reports: https://www.asyousow.org/reports/2023-clean200-investing-in-a-clean-energy-future Check them out!

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