Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

October 1 - October 31, 2023

Thomas Saad

Cleveland Clinic Sustainability

"The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,715 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

74

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

1

carbon footprint

calculated
UP TO

944

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

13

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

577

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

780

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1

donation

made
UP TO

1

conversation

with a person
UP TO

3

women, BIPOC, and immigrant-owned businesses

supported
UP TO

29

stories

shared
UP TO

1

advocacy action

completed
UP TO

1

hour

volunteered
UP TO

3

trees

planted
UP TO

460

minutes

spent learning

Thomas's actions

Buildings

Install A Toilet Tank Bank

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Share to Social Media: Food, Agriculture, Land Use

Food, Agriculture, & Land Use

Through social media (LinkedIn or Instagram), I will share what I've learned about Food, Agriculture, & Land Use and tag Ecochallenge.org.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Purchase a Carbon Offset

Efficient Aviation

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Telepresence, High-Speed Rail

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 2 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

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

Join a Recycling Program

Recycling

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

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

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

Bioplastics; Recycled Plastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Plastics Audit

Reduced Plastics

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.

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

Solar Water Consultation

Solar Hot Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Rooftop Solar Consultation

Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, POC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 20 minutes researching and shopping from 2 businesses owned by women, people of color, or immigrants.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

Reduced Food Waste

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Farm Irrigation Efficiency

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-Waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meals with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn About Aquaculture

Improved Aquaculture

Each day, I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about sustainable aquaculture.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 6 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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

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?

Thomas Saad 11/01/2023 5:40 AM

We've only just begun! We have to keep our focus on the long term Sustainable Goals.

Read More
Thomas Saad 10/31/2023 3:59 AM

Please remember one thing ...

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

Thomas Saad 10/30/2023 3:14 PM

10 Ways to Conserve Water for a Sustainable Living

1. Turn off the tap when it's not in use

2. Soak your dishes in warm water first

3. Run your dishwasher and laundry only when its full

4. Cut those long showers short

5. Use energy-efficient, water-saving devices

6. Use a water softener to tackle hard water problems

7. Fix plumbing leaks

8. Go easy on your sprinklers and gardening hose

9. Use drip irrigation to water your plants

10. Reuse water for landscape gardens

With small steps, we can make a big difference to ensure our planet stays healthy and habitable.

Read More
Thomas Saad 10/30/2023 3:59 AM

Human activity has transformed a significant fraction of the planet's land, especially for growing food and harvesting forests. Land—including land at the edge and the bottom of the ocean—provides shelter, sustenance, feed for animals, fiber, timber, and some sources of energy.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Install A Toilet Tank Bank

How can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?

Thomas Saad 10/29/2023 11:08 AM

Make homemade toilet water saver by putting a plastic water bottle in toilet tank.

If you take a plastic bottle, put a few pebbles or rocks in it, fill it with water, and then place it in the back of your toilet, you can save up to 10 gallons of water per day.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Rooftop Solar Consultation

Identify some ways in which modern human societies have become unsustainable. What kind of roles do individuals have in creating and changing practices in society?

Thomas Saad 10/29/2023 10:54 AM

I found this interesting: The 1973 and 1979 energy crises demonstrated the extent to which the global community had become dependent on non-renewable energy resources. By the 1970s, the ecological footprint of humanity exceeded the carrying capacity of earth, therefore the mode of life of humanity became unsustainable.

Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water.

Humans deplete nonrenewable resources, such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Humans destroy otherwise renewable resources through pollution of air, water, and soil.

Read More
- Jeanne Poirier 10/29/2023 7:31 PM
  
  AND the carrying capacity of human consumption to what earth can provide grows shorter every year. So glad we have this challenge - do we have will power to do the regenerative work vs. continuing the extractive society?
  
  Read More
Thomas Saad 10/29/2023 10:18 AM

Aquaculture is breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants. Basically, it's farming in water. U.S. aquaculture is an environmentally responsible source of food and commercial products, helps to create healthier habitats, and is used to rebuild stocks of threatened or endangered species.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Thomas Saad 10/28/2023 2:21 PM

I have found that attending conferences virtually is more convenient and easier to plan. No need for flight and hotel reservations. Plus I don't have to pack ;)

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Thomas Saad 10/28/2023 2:17 PM

What are some of my concerns about the planet?
Pollution, Global warming, Overpopulation, Waste disposal, Deforestation and Ozone layer depletion just to name a few. The list keeps growing!

Read More
- Mary Hanks 11/03/2023 6:42 PM
  
  Thomas, I made mujadara (mostly from a recipe on Ainsley Harriott's website), and it was delicious! Thanks for the recommendation. I thought the cinnamon made it extra-wonderful.
  
  Read More
- Mary Hanks 10/29/2023 8:02 PM
  
  Thomas, since I'm not sure you get notified of my responses to comments you make on my feed, I'm taking this opportunity to thank you for the lentil recipe recommendations! I wasn't familiar with either dish, but I've bookmarked recipes and plan to try them soon. I already make a lentil/rice/onion mixture that's similar to Mujadara, but I haven't been caramelizing the onions or putting in a lot amount of cumin (which is one of my favorite herbs and spices, along with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil.
  
  Read More
Thomas Saad 10/28/2023 2:06 PM
Getting ready for Halloween? From purchasing locally grown pumpkins to reusing items around your house to make decorations and costumes, here are tips to make your Halloween spooky and sustainable.

Costumes
- Organize a neighborhood swap for kids’ costumes.
- Look for costumes at your local thrift store.
- Repurpose items from your closet to make a costume. Try one of the clever costumes made with recycled or repurpose items from Waterford.org
- Use cardboard boxes to make costumes. Check out these cute costume ideas from tinybeans.
Trick-or-Treating
Use reusable totes or pillowcases to hold candy while trick-or-treating.
- Purchase candy in recyclable cardboard packaging.
- Buy eco-friendly candy. Try one of the ideas from honestly modern’s sustainable or zero waste candy list.
- Keep plastic candy wrappers out of the recycling bin. Check locally to see if your community has a TerraCycle® drop-off collection container for candy wrappers.
Decorations. Pumpkins, and Food
- Upcycle or repurpose items around the house for decorations (e.g., paint glass bottles and add spooky labels and flowers for a quick and festive centerpiece.)
- Purchase locally grown pumpkins.
- Don’t bleach your pumpkin. Instead, use a vinegar-water mixture (10 parts water to one part vinegar) to soak the pumpkin.
- Use seasonal and locally sourced food for your party.
- Buy in bulk and limit single-use packages.
- Use reusable serveware, plates, napkins, and flatware.
- Recycle empty beverage containers and pizza boxes.
- Don’t forget to compost your pumpkin and food scraps after your Halloween party.
- Don’t place streamers, costumes, or balloons in with your recycling.
Read More
- Nancy Stamey 10/28/2023 2:21 PM
  
  I walk my dog 2-3 times each day. I am happy to see that the leaves that are falling in my neighborhood are being chopped up with lawn mowers rather than blown and carried away. I always enjoy being outside, especially this time of year.
  
  Read More