Therese Herzog

Support local farmers and reduce carbon emissions from transportation by buying fall produce like squash, apples, and pumpkins.

Instead of bagging leaves, compost them to enrich your garden soil and reduce landfill waste.

Environmental issues often impact marginalized communities the most. I will spend 10 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day.

Reduciré la cantidad de agua que se usa en cada descarga y ahorraré hasta 41 litros (11 galones) de agua por día al instalar un depósito ahorrador para el tanque del baño.

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.

I will install a greywater catchment system in my home.

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.

Organic farming practices are healthier and safer for our planet, animals, and people. I will enjoy 3 meals cooked with organic ingredients per day.

I will volunteer 8 hours in my community during the challenge.

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

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.

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 1 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

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

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will share a photo and reflection of this action on the feed.

Seeing where waste goes can change how we think about what we throw away. I will visit a local facility to learn more about the waste stream in my community and share what I learn with others and in the feed.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.