Ecochallenge.org

The People's Ecochallenge 2022

October 5 - October 26, 2022

Adam Moen

Cleveland Clinic Sustainability

"Thrive to thrive, in order to have a thriving world, we all need to thrive for one together."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,550 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

advocacy action

completed
UP TO

2.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

21

donations

made
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

440

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

hour

volunteered
UP TO

1,400

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1,280

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

640

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

5.0

pounds

waste avoided
UP TO

145

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated

Adam's actions

Enacting Equity

Research Indigenous & First Nations Communities

I will spend 30 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

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

Balancing Consumption

Know My Waste & Recycling Services

I will spend 60 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

Enacting Equity

Learn About Accessible & Equitable Voter Registration

I will spend 30 minutes learning about voter access and equity. And if applicable, I will register to vote, ask someone I trust to help me register, or help others register.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Enacting Equity

Support Low-Income Solar Initiatives

Whether by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support initiatives in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Enacting Equity

Shop at BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, & Women-Led Businesses!

I will shop at a small business owned or staffed by underrepresented members of my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Enacting Equity

Watch a Documentary about Racial Injustice

I will watch 2 documentaries about racism and racial injustice.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cultivating Communities

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. digital/virtual attendance, vacation without air travel).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cultivating Communities

Donate Blood

I will donate blood in my community to make sure there are adequate supplies for routine medical services and emergencies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Balancing Consumption

What is Sustainable Fashion?

I will spend 30 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

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

Regenerating Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 30 minutes researching which plants support local pollinators and plant a few in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Regenerating Nature

Explore My Area

Each day, I will spend 30 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

Use Resources for Climate Anxiety

I will spend 30 minutes each day trying out climate anxiety resources that support mental and psychological well being.

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

Regenerating Nature

Is Nature on the Ballot?

I will spend 60 minute(s) per day finding out what sustainability and nature-related legislation is on local and state ballots this year.

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?

Adam Moen 10/26/2022 6:17 AM

Great job everyone!! I am really looking forward to doing this challenge again next year. All of these opportunities have had great chances to learn and find new ways to help the community and environment.

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- Thomas Saad 10/26/2022 7:27 AM
  
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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?

Adam Moen 10/25/2022 6:41 AM

This reminds me of a conversation I had with a professor a few years back about funding. Funding for environmental projects (such as preserving a piece of land) usually involves having some sort of visitor policy. People like to donate to places that they can go, or while they are there. People will also pay to go to certain places or take an education class there. But the more people in an area you're trying to preserve, the harder it is to keep that area safe for the plants, animals, water sources, etc. You have to often find a balance between letting enough people in that you can get enough funding but not so much that you are unable to fulfill the project and keep the land preserved. This type of balance is different than that of the indigenous ceremonies, but the fact is that we have always needed to find balance when it comes to approaching the environment and making sure we don't harm it while still being able to benefit from it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Regenerating Nature Calculate My Water Footprint

What is one way you will reduce your water use? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your water use?

Adam Moen 10/20/2022 6:49 AM

My footprint is already pretty low. The only thing that I can do since I rent would be to collect rain water. Which is something that I am working on.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Regenerating Nature Complete an Energy Audit

What most interested you, or surprised you about your energy audit?

Adam Moen 10/20/2022 6:37 AM

My house-- while not perfect-- is better than I expected. It is a very old home, but it was just renovated so a lot of the issues I thought might show up weren't there. The worse offender is the bathroom window which will is not aligned correctly. I have to put a bar across it to stop the wind from blowing it open. My sister is going to show me how to properly seal the windows for the winter to help save energy and money. I'm looking forward to it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Balancing Consumption Know My Waste & Recycling Services

What did you find surprising or hopeful in your research?

Adam Moen 10/19/2022 6:44 AM

I learned that a lot of the stores near me have special programs to help recycle plastic grocery bags. These bags can't go in normal recycling bins because of how thin they are. I can easily drop off the bags before I go grocery shopping. Nice, simple, and easy.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Enacting Equity Support Low-Income Solar Initiatives

Equitable access, environmental justice and creating employment opportunities are just a few advantages of low-income solar programs. Can you think of other benefits that could come from initiatives like this? Which advantages of low-income solar do you find the most compelling?

Adam Moen 10/18/2022 6:48 AM

I find the community solar initiatives very interesting. It allows for greater reach of renewable resources. Not only does it help with homes that might not be able to add solar panels, it also helps with finances. I really like the carveout approach that puts legislation in place making sure that a certain amount of community solar projects focus on low income areas. This is extremely important as low income neighborhoods would likely not be able to afford to put solar panels on their homes themselves, and they would benefit the most to saving money from their energy bill.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nourishing Food Donate Food

Why do you donate food? How does it connect to your values?

Adam Moen 10/17/2022 5:56 AM

There is a really nice food pantry at my local community college. It's super easy to show up and drop off food, as well as walk in and get food. An important thing I find is making sure no one feels judged or shamed for using it. I donate food in a hope to help those in my community and help them to know they are not alone.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Balancing Consumption Calculate My Carbon Footprint

What is one way you will reduce your carbon impact? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your carbon impact?

Adam Moen 10/13/2022 12:53 PM

Unfortunately most of my footprint comes from my home. I live in a very old rented house which uses a good deal of energy, and I am unable to add any sort of renewable resource or anything to help make the home more sustainable. That said, I am working on buying food more locally to help be more sustainable.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Regenerating Nature Support Local Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators? Do you have a favorite pollinator?

Adam Moen 10/13/2022 6:31 AM

I have a vendetta against grass. One of the reasons being that there is nothing for pollinators in a perfectly manicured lawn. Another being that they are boring. There are lots of low rising flowers/grass alternatives that you can run around on like you can grass, that also help pollinators and make your lawn look pretty. With climate change getting worse every year, it's getting more and more important to protect the diversity of wildlife we have, both plant and animal. Helping pollinators helps keep both of these things diverse and helps your lawn feel more unique.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Cultivating Communities Stay on the Ground

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

Adam Moen 10/12/2022 6:26 AM

road trips are actually very fun if you know how to plan them/the people you're travelling with aren't ones to start drama. Being able to have multiple drivers makes it even easier. It might take a lot longer than a plane, but just think about all that airport security you don't have to worry about.

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