Ben Laflam

SUS 304 Fall 25

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
86 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

4.0

miles

traveled by bike
UP TO

4.0

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

2.2

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

30

minutes

spent learning

Ben's actions

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Environmental issues often impact marginalized communities the most. I will spend 30 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Commute By Bike

I will commute by bike 2 miles each day and avoid sending CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Learn About the Impact of Old Refrigerants

I will spend 10 minutes researching the impact of old harmful refrigerants on our environment.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minutes each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Make Sure You are Registered to Vote

I will make sure I’m registered to vote. While I’m at it, I’ll sign up to help others register too!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience differ while walking, riding transit, biking, or driving?
Ben Laflam 10/11/2025 11:10 AM
I definitely feel more connected to my community when I ride my bike, walk, or take transit. When I walk or bike, I often see people I know on the street and have a chance to chat with them, which makes me feel connected to the community. When I take public transit, it feels good to know that I'm utilizing a resource that the whole community uses.

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- Ray Taylor 10/11/2025 2:20 PM
  I agree, I keep way more connected to my community when riding my bike, skating or using public transits. You also get a chance to look at your surroundings so you absorb more of the city and you use less emissions. So it's definitely better for your soul and the environment to take transits or to take emissions free ways such as biking, longboarding or walking.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health

Who is most affected by environmental degradation or environmental irresponsibility in your community? How are they affected? What actions can you take to support those affected by these issues?
Ben Laflam 10/11/2025 10:59 AM
In Corvallis, there is an environmental justice issue that is currently being fought over in the local government. North of town, there is a large landfill called Coffin Butte landfill, which is owned and operated by Republic Services. Corvallis residents, especially those who live near the landfill, have become fed up with the lack of care the company takes in operating it. Neighbors report trash ending up on their farms, damaging their livestock. Republic Services is attempting to expand the landfill, but locals are against this because it would likely cause leaching of toxins into the groundwater that people rely on.

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