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October 1 - October 31, 2024
Gillian Schneider's avatar

Gillian Schneider

NVeco

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 547 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    33
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    388
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    224
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    3.3
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    110
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    6.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    2.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    229
    minutes
    spent learning

Gillian's actions

Waste

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

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 11 minutes each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 20 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless

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

Water

Calculate My Water Footprint

I will calculate my Water Footprint to learn about my tap water use and "virtual water" use.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research Impact Investing

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and determine if it is right for me.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio

I will find out what stocks and bonds are in my investment account portfolio to determine if they align with my values (e.g. environmental, social responsibility, community).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 20 minutes of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Buy Used Clothes

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the perils of fast fashion and will buy my clothes at second-hand stores when I shop.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Find / Join A Sharing Economy

I will research tool libraries and other sharing economy organizations in my area and rent instead of buy next time I need something they offer.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Volunteer in My Community

I will volunteer 35 hours in my community during the challenge.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host a Watch Party

I will host a watch party to screen a documentary about an issue that matters to me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Support Native Communities

I will use the resource links provided and spend 30 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/31/2024 6:37 AM
    I cannot believe this ends today. Thanks to all who participated! See you at NVeco next week!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Reduce Animal Products
    Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/31/2024 6:37 AM
    Meat is expensive but also not always readily available. I understand how the land and water and environmental cost of meat is so high. I have watched documentaries, so I try to eat 1-2 vegetarian meals a day--and sometimes vegan as well.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Support Local Pollinators
    Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/28/2024 3:35 AM
    World Bee Day? Who knew. Pollinators keep us eating and sustain life. I love my mom's garden, which has no grass. She planted many perennials for the bees. And this year--thanks to pollinators and to composting--she got a rogue butternut squash plant. We have pulled about 15 squash so far, and I passed some on to colleagues this past week.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Smart Seafood Choices
    Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/28/2024 3:27 AM
    I do fall within the guidelines for sustainable consumption of fish. I have the app but have not really used it lately because I mostly by farm-raised (sustainable) salmon and only once a month or so. I have been the best at eating spinach (in a spinach and feta omelette for breakfast) this month.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Calculate My Water Footprint
    How does your view on water consumption change after completing this action?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/28/2024 3:24 AM
    I forget how much water consumption is "virtual" (and comes from making the food/meat that we eat). I felt guilty answering some of those questions, so I know that I could do better.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Buy Used Clothes
    Do people with economic privilege have a responsibility to consume and own less? How can the concept of "reduce" be presented to those who may be struggling to have enough food, clothes, shelter?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/28/2024 3:14 AM
    I tend to not buy clothes much at all--except for NV tshirts. When I buy clothes out in the world, I either go to Goodwill or to the clearance section of Kohl's or other stores (because I worry that those clothes might end up in a landfill). And when I buy something (even used), I try to donate that many items or more from my closet. I donated 4 boxes to Amvets this month.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Find / Join A Sharing Economy
    What are some of the barriers to sharing economies? What is your plan for supporting or creating one in your community?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/27/2024 11:56 AM
    I love my Kindle and use the Libby app to check out free books from the local library. I have saved so many books and have donated about 100 physical books this year to students, friends, AMVETS. So glad to share reading with others.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Meditate
    What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/27/2024 11:48 AM
    Sundays are the best! So relaxing. A great day to put the phone away and get outdoors. Or hand out with kittens and no technology.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Volunteer in My Community
    What is one thing you can do to help your community become more sustainable?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/27/2024 11:45 AM
    We loved helping senior citizens learn technology, and they were so thankful. Thanks to all students who volunteered with me!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Research My Investment Portfolio
    In what ways can you increase the positive impacts and decrease the negative impacts of your financial investments?

    Gillian Schneider's avatar
    Gillian Schneider 10/27/2024 9:58 AM
    Investing according to your personal values can be challenging, but knowing where your money is invested is important to align to your values. And mine.