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October 5 - October 26, 2022
Gabe Matney's avatar

Gabe Matney

LightSpeed Networks

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,131 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    documentaries
    watched
  • UP TO
    5.0
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    822
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    676
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1,464
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    1,012
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    7.6
    pounds
    food waste prevented
  • UP TO
    3.0
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    16
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    2.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated

Gabe's actions

Cultivating Communities

Advocate for Greener Vehicles

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Enacting Equity

Research Indigenous & First Nations Communities

I will spend 20 learning about the past and present indigenous or first nation communities in my regions impacted by colonization, and what I can do to be supportive.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Enacting Equity

Watch a Documentary about Racial Injustice

I will watch 1 documentaries about racism and racial injustice.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nourishing Food

What is My Food Supply Chain?

I will spend 15 minutes learning about my food supply chains, and complete a food waste audit.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nourishing Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Balancing Consumption

Research Impact Investing

I will spend 15 minutes learning about impact investing and/or my current investment portfolio to determine if they align with my values.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Balancing Consumption

What is Sustainable Fashion?

I will spend 15 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and adopt at least one sustainable fashion practice.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Balancing Consumption

Calculate My 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

Balancing Consumption

Repair a Broken Item

I will repair at least one item that is broken, but is repairable. This might be items like garden tools, sewing machine, small appliances, electronics, clothing, and more.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Regenerating Nature

Explore My Area

Each day, I will spend 10 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood, which might include a park, water body, trail, etc.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Regenerating Nature

Complete an Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, work, or other shared space to identify the next steps for saving energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Regenerating Nature

Take Shorter Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute or less showers. Tip: Use a timer to practice or count to 60 a few times.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Regenerating Nature

Listen to a Nature Podcast

I will spend 10 minutes listening to a podcast about nature.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Regenerating Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside and often with electronics with quality time outside walking, exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, observing nature, or practicing gratitude for nature.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Regenerating Nature

Calculate My Water Footprint

I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Balancing Consumption

Know My Waste & Recycling Services

I will spend 30 minutes finding out how to recycle in my region, where landfills and/or waste sites are situated in my region, and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nourishing Food

Donate Food

I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nourishing Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste, excess carbon and save money by planning my daily and weekly menus so that I only purchase the ingredients needed.

COMPLETED 22
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?


  • Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/27/2022 6:51 AM
    I learned that there are so many resources available in my area that can help me with recycling and conservation.  I feel like I am beginning to do my part in the efforts towards sustainability.

  • Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/26/2022 3:37 PM
    This challenge was a life changing experience.  I am embarrassed to admit just how ignorant I have been.  I feel like I have developed habits from this challenge that will be sustainable in the long run and help make a contribution to making things better.  

    • Gabe, we are all starting where we are and that is ok, no shame, nothing to be embarrassed about. So glad you joined, participated and had a positive experience. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Regenerating Nature Spend Time Outside
    What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time inside and on screens?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/26/2022 3:34 PM
    One of the biggest implications that I have seen of spending time inside and on screens is losing gratitude and appreciation for the outdoors and mother nature.  I have found that I have made a conscious effort to be outside and embracing time outdoors, I am appreciating it more and wanting to do things in life that make a difference to make it a better place.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Balancing Consumption Research Impact Investing
    After learning more about investing, how can you increase positive impacts and decrease negative impacts?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/25/2022 8:51 AM
    I have found through some research that using "if, then" statements can really help me to minimize negative impacts.  Telling myself if I purchase something, then the impact or result will be something in the near to distant future.  This has really helped me abstain from impulse purchases.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Regenerating Nature Listen to a Nature Podcast
    What podcast did you choose and what did you learn on the podcast you listened to?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/25/2022 8:48 AM
    I listened to "How to Save the Planet" Episode 11: Nature on your doorstep.  I learned more about birds and how important they are to our environment and also how critical it is for us to save and maintain their habitats.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cultivating Communities Advocate for Greener Vehicles
    Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/24/2022 11:56 AM
    Something that really motivates me to switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles is the cost savings that can be used to do more for the environment and for our communities through volunteering and making donations.

  • Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/24/2022 11:55 AM
    The weather is changing, getting colder, and getting wetter.  It was kind of funny how I had to really talk myself into a walk outside today.  I am so glad I did it.  I picked up a little trash on my walk and also reduced my stress levels by getting away from the keyboard for a bit.

  • Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/24/2022 11:53 AM
    I was really challenged today to stay true to this goal of using less water.  It is cold out, so the warm shower really felt good.  I am glad that I stayed true to now just staying in the shower to feel more comfortable because the waste in water is far more critical than my own individual comfort.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this ecochallenge and hope to make these habit changes stick.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Regenerating Nature Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place? Was there a new place in your region that was exciting to learn about and visit?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/18/2022 7:35 AM
    I walked down a different street in my neighborhood and met a neighbor named Ted.  It was awesome to learn about him and his family and also get to know more about the new neighborhood I have moved into.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Enacting Equity Research Indigenous & First Nations Communities
    Indigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, “most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation.” Why is balance important to sustainability? If you identify with or are a member of an indigenous community, how does your community practice sustainability?

    Gabe Matney's avatar
    Gabe Matney 10/12/2022 7:56 AM
    After watching the video I watched about indigenous communities I admire just how in tune they are with their values and the land.  They see the value and need to take care of and nurture the land instead of stealing the benefits of the land in the name of fortune and greed that so many communities seem to practice right now.  I think that my community can learn a great deal from the perspective of the indigenous communities to honor our part in creation and also in the harm that has been done.