Ecochallenge.org

The People's Ecochallenge 2025

October 1 - October 31, 2025

Veronica Beatty

The Standard - Employees, Family and Friends

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
968 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

9.5

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

52

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

60

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

carbon footprint

calculated
UP TO

76

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

101

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

177

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

220

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

476

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

2.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

330

minutes

spent learning

Veronica's actions

Food

Plan Meals for the Week

I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 2 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 documentaries 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

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Know My Core Four Biometrics

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless and Opt Out of Junk Mail

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Public Transit Instead of Driving

I will use public transit 3 miles each day and avoid sending CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Take the Pre-Survey

Take the Pre-Event Survey

I’ll take a short pre-survey to share what motivated me to join — and earn 15 points! (If I already took the survey by email, I’ll just mark this action complete to get my points.)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Calculate My Carbon Impact

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Products in my Home

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 20 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Engage In Active Listening

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 5 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch To Cold Water for Laundry

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

Organic farming practices are healthier and safer for our planet, animals, and people. I will enjoy 1 meals cooked with organic ingredients per day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore a New Trail or Nature Walk

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Walk Instead of Driving

I will walk 4 miles each day instead of driving and avoid sending CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Follow a Whole Food Diet

Processed foods can be less nutritious for our bodies and take more energy and water to produce, which can create more waste, pollution, and may offer fewer health benefits. I will enjoy 2 meals per day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

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?
Veronica Beatty 10/30/2025 9:28 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
My car was totalled (no injuries, just an old car) and we have to consider getting another car or continuing to share one. My spouse's car gets much better gas milage (it's a hybrid) than mine did, has only had him as an owner, and has a very reliable system.

In researching cars we decided that we would prefer to get an electric car if we do get a second car, and that we would buy used. Used cars in general are better for your personal carbon footprint, as it can reduce demand for new car manufacturing, saving the environment quite a lot of impact. We also live in an area with plenty of charging stations, including some at his and his client's workplaces.

We also want to consider the limitations of our current car, and what our future holds. For example, we enjoy skiing and camping, and would like to have a family, so any "new" car we get should have all-wheel or 4-wheel drive, a good range, and be at least a hatchback.

We saw many good options while researching and will actually be taking some time this weekend to test drive different EV's in our area to get a better idea if we want to go forward with getting a new car!

Read More
- Kerry Keck 10/30/2025 1:16 PM
  I hope no one was injured in the accident. Gad you have time to make a good decision for your family.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What is your perceotion of organic food? After cooking with and eating organic food, has your perception changed?
Veronica Beatty 10/29/2025 9:07 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
I used to only care that the sugar and flour I bought were organic, and mostly due to the fact that it would guarantee they were produced in a vegan way. After watching "The Seeds of Vandana Shiva" in a Food and Culture class, I was enlightened to the cultural and environmental impact of GMO foods. I now buy much more of my food organic, as to be certified organic it cannot contain GMOs. Some of the most common GMO crops are Soy (used in many processed foods and a staple protein for plant-based eaters), Corn, Potatoes, and and Canola (often the basis for vegetable oils and one commonly used in the restaurant industry).

While I still don't necessarily believe that an Organic apple and a non-organic, non-GMO apple have any perceivable difference in taste or nutrition, and I know that I am lucky and privileged to be able to switch to mostly organic groceries, I am a firm believer in doing what you can to better the environment and preserve culture.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?
Veronica Beatty 10/28/2025 8:22 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
I have been trying to get better at freezing my produce and bread before it starts to go bad! I live with one other adult and sometimes it can be hard to find food in quantities that we can easily get through before they start to turn, so after 4-5 days I'll pre-slice the remaining bread (we try to buy whole loves from a local bakery) and put it in the freezer. I also try to sort through, wash, and prep fruit for the freezer when it starts to get a little overripe.

Read More
- Linda Theobald 10/28/2025 8:36 AM
  That is a great idea! I live in a more rural area and have a fairly large garden. I compost everything I can (no meat products). My favorite food to can or freeze are fruits as those tend to have a shorter shelf life.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Does this statistic describe your own transportation habits? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?
Veronica Beatty 10/24/2025 9:04 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
Unfortunately much of the US isn't walking-friendly. There are many areas without appropriate sidewalks or street crossings. Also we live in a society where time is highly valued, and while the store might be a 40 minute round-trip if you are walking, it is only 5 minutes or less by car.

I lost my car in August and since have been sharing my husband's car or walking much more often. It took some time but I'm starting to enjoy the slower pace of things and the sense of urgency is starting to go away. I also enjoy the physical act of walking, and will take long walks for fun when I have the time.

Read More
- Glenda Harrison 10/24/2025 2:55 PM
  
  Earth Advocate 📣
  Yes, we do live in a time and country where many do take a 2 minute car ride for just a few items. I stopped driving due to medical issues a few years ago, and so many friends said "I could not do that." I've made adjustments, and I do feel better when I take a 10 minute walk to the store to pick up a small order.
  
  Read More
- Michele Brooks 10/24/2025 10:46 AM
  
  Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
  I'm grouping my errands and only driving a few times a week. I can't exactly take the time to walk to the grocery story where I live. I was without a car for about 6 months about 15 years ago and was stunned at just how much time it took to do even simple things. People who can't afford cars or get insurance are extremely disadvantaged in this regard. The amount of time it takes to do necessary things means they are going to have a hard time holding down a full-time job.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four in the US spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where else would you rather invest this money instead of wasting food?
Veronica Beatty 10/20/2025 7:21 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
That's a staggering number! I wonder how much of it has to do with people not practicing safe food storage/not knowing how to safely store food. It is important for everyone, even those not going into food service, to understand safe temperature zones, cross-contamination, and how to appropriately store and reheat leftovers.
Looking for ways to use nearly-bad food can also save your family from food waste! Like if you have fruit that is about to go bad, instead prepping and freezing it for use later or cooking it into a compote can give it extra life. Vegetables can be turned into salads and stir fries, and meats can be frozen or cooked as well to prevent them from rotting.

Read More
- Mary Hanks 10/20/2025 10:57 AM
  
  Pet Parent 🐾
  Much of my meal planning consists of 1) figuring out what's close to going bad and 2) devising a meal around the soon-to-expire foodstuffs.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Michael Pollan states that “it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor.” What are your thoughts on this assertion?
Veronica Beatty 10/17/2025 8:57 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
I think there's a lot of truth to this statement. By learning how to cook nutritious meals with whole foods, you can often save money compared to buying mainly packaged snacks and ready-made meals. While it can take more time, it is also often better for you, as food manufacturers add extra fats, sugars, and salts (which are important, just in smaller quantities) to make their food literally addictive.

So many health problems can stem from having a poor diet. Fatigue, vitamin deficiencies, gut/digestion issues, and more can be linked to poor nutrition.

Read More
- Mary Hanks 10/21/2025 10:16 PM
  
  Pet Parent 🐾
  Hi Veronica, I'm not really replying to your thoughts about Michael Pollan's statement; instead, I'm replying to a comment you made to another post about an Ecochallenger not being physically up to taking public transit to a required class and accepting a ride from her housemate. You asked if the driver could incorporate an errand in order to make the trip even more efficient. Well, great minds clearly think alike! :) I'm the housemate, and I knew it was silly to drive almost an hour to drop someone off and then return home only to make a second trip not long after returning home. Instead, I stayed in the area of the class and did some shopping nearby. Since I needed to visit that specific store and it was only about a mile from the class, driving my housemate to and from only added two miles to the trip. I couldn't have used public transit because I knew my purchases would be too heavy to carry to and from the transit stops.
  
  Read More
- Samantha Jones 10/17/2025 10:34 AM
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  Diet is medicine, and also, we should recognize that not all packaged/processed foods are bad. Canned tuna is a great protein source, for example.
  
  Read More
Veronica Beatty 10/01/2025 11:06 AM
- Plant-Based Foodie 🥬
For anyone who chose to watch a documentary about food sovereignty, I highly recommend "The Seeds of Vandana Shiva". Vandana is an Indian environmental activist, feminist, scholar, and food sovereignty advocate, with a PhD in philosophy. It was a very stark look at the effects that GMO crops have had on agricultural societies and highlights why seed banks and food sovereignty are so important to preserving culture.

Read More
- Megan Gonzales 10/01/2025 11:16 AM
  - Book Lover 📚
  Thanks for the recommendation! I will check it out this month.
  
  Read More