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October 1 - October 31, 2025
Rebecca Specht's avatar

Rebecca Specht

UTK Facilities Services

"My mission for the People’s Ecochallenge 2025 is to live with greater balance and purpose by strengthening both personal well-being and environmental stewardship. I will nurture my health through daily exercise, connect with nature, and create space away from screens. I will reduce my footprint by understanding my energy and water use, repairing and reusing, and supporting food access in my community. Through civic engagement and nonprofit connections, I will contribute to positive change beyond myself. Small daily actions, combined with mindful choices, will help me grow into a more sustainable and resilient way of living."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 924 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3,510
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    12
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    water footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    0.0
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    38
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    760
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    1.0
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    0.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    0.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    1,110
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    20
    minutes
    spent learning

Rebecca's actions

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio for Alignment with My Values

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

Nature

Learn About the Impact of Old Refrigerants

I will spend 45 minutes researching the impact of old harmful refrigerants on our environment.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Health

Support Pollution Reduction in My Area

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Invite a Friend to Calculate Their Carbon Footprint

Individual actions are important, but people and organizations working together can make a real impact. I will share a carbon calculator with a friend and invite them to calculate the carbon footprint of their household.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags when Shopping

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Complete an Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will shop at a farmers market or food co-op to support local farmers and businesses. By doing so, I may be able to learn more about who produces the food I eat and goods I buy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

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.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 7 hours of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Replace Screen Time with Other Activities

I will replace 30 minutes of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 15 minutes each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Calculate My Digital Carbon Footprint

I will calculate my digital carbon footprint and take steps to reduce my CO2 emissions.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Understand My Water Footprint

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.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Donate Food in My Community

I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Community

Connect with a Nonprofit

I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed


  • Rebecca Specht's avatar
    Rebecca Specht 10/01/2025 7:46 AM
    I'm at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program’s Energy Bootcamp this week learning about how we can save energy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in our facilities operations.