Catherine Johnson

Biggest challenge:
Reporting each day. I found the actions quite simple, but getting it recorded was hard.

What did I learn:
There is such a thing as a water footprint. There is injustice here, in the US, regarding how resources are allocated and available to groups of people. I can live with a lot less water! I learned how to store food to prevent waste and take efficient showers.

I really learned that my actions, even seemingly small ones, matter.

I am most proud of the long term changes that I have made: going back to vegetarianism, conserving water as routine, and being conscious of what I do and how that affects other people and our planet.
Catherine

Well team, I calculated my water footprint. I was doing great until we got to virtual, hidden water. I feed my cats, wear clothes, and use electricity from the grid, which all seems normal to me. I am not sure how not to do those things. Water footprint: 1617 gallons of water consumed each day. The average for each American is about 1802 gallons a day. Why is cat food so high in use of water? Do I need to make my own? I shop at good will so my clothing can't be high; it is recycled. My tiny house will not sustain a solar panel on the roof; I could build a structure, but I would have to be able to afford the solar panel and the converter. The electricity from the grid is all renewable. We just shut down the last coal plant in Oregon; that's what I recall hearing from OPB last month.
Catherine

Hi Team!
I harvested today at a local farm: tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, flowers, beans... It was amazing $1 per pound, U-pick
3849 NE 158th & Sandy Blvd. Open 9-5 everyday. They are closing for the season by the end of the month or when the produces gives out, dependent on weather and  pickers.  I got 6 bags for $29; I got peaches, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, etc. Hurry, lets prevent food waste!! you can't get fresher or more local than the field.
Catherine

Hi guys. I picked my own produce today. I found a farm and U-pick just blocks from me. I bought my weekly fruit and vegetables, then noticed people heading to the field. I went to pick some green beans and discovered I didn't know what the green bean plant looked like. I ended up with black eyed peas and some peppers. Can't get more up close and personal with your local food!
Catherine

I missed checking in for a couple of days. I had to get the course work done, and mom is in the hospital... you know; it's life. I did stop a water leak that has been challenging me all summer. It's done, no more dripping. I also have shortened my showers, and am very aware of any food waste. I am buying locally produced food now, as much as possible.
Catherine

I joined the challenge to start my quest for a more sustainable life and to grow my knowledge about doing my part to curb climate change.

Food waste: I usually prep the major part of  my meals for the week on the weekends. I have the most food waste when I clean the refrigerator. Today, I tossed a 1/3 of the asparagus that I just bought last Wednesday; the tips had gone bad. I prepped the rest for meals.

Water: I saved the water for my whole shower today by not taking one. I am to tired, anyway. I am learning a lot about clean water accessibility. This is a really sad issue. Before this class, I only knew about Flint Michigan's water problems. Race and ethnicity has more to do with access to clean water than we might want to believe.
Catherine

Last night, after I posted, I burned a potato that I was cooking in the microwave for a snack; I mean BURNED... smoke, black dish, mess. I put the cats out in their mesh tent at 1:00 am to air out the house, ran the fans all night and all of today to try to get smoke out of the tiny. I wasted food, used lots of electricity, and wasted my heat.  That's what lack of sleep will do for you; it was just 10 minutes of distraction. The house still smells like smoke. Talked to Mom today. She reminded me that if I take time to sleep, I will get more done. She gets smarter every year. So today my score is ... 1 step forward, & 3 backwards. Arg!

Catherine

"Philosophy Talk" today on NPR is about collective action on climate change! They talked about the tragedy of the commons and how our efforts now will help future generations, but we may not live to see it. So individuals who care about the climate right now have to be motivated by altruism and future good for all, not personal gain.

The start of change is awareness. I am noticing all the things I do in a day that matter. I waste hot water after cooking. I tossed my plastic envelope after returning a book that I bought by mistake. I drove for Uber, made a wrong turn, and ended up going miles out of my way.