Take action for a better shared future. Join the People's Ecochallenge!

Taylor Mannhalter 11/03/2025 1:02 PM

My ecochallenge was great, I enjoyed exploring the many small actions I could implement in my own life that could make a positive impact on our environment. Community is so important in times like these and I appreciated being a part of one that wants to help the planet we all depend on :)

Calum Hanawalt 11/02/2025 10:36 PM

For the Ecochallenge I unfortunately only accomplished seventeen check-ins and three posts; one reflection for each daily challenge. This was a difficult assignment as I was homeless for the majority of October, only getting into my own apartment on the 18th. I tried to pick actions that would be accessible for those conditions, such as showing gratitude, using reusable water bottles, and spending time outside. One action that I picked was to adjust the thermostat, which my sister did not appreciate me doing the few times I was at her house during the challenge month.

However, that particular action is indicative of the value of the challenge for me. When I did get my apartment, I was excited to start checking in for the thermostat action. This helped me to get into that mindset and set the precedent in my new home of conserving energy through thermostat usage (or nonusage as it were). I believe that I’ve conditioned an association of conservation with this particular thermostat as a result. Spending time outside was also a useful reminder for me. I started a new job at the beginning of the month and, to satisfy my check-ins, started spending at least one ten minute break in the courtyard of the building trying to center myself. Other actions, like the water bottle, were simply a nice validation for me. As I said on the site, I already regularly use exclusively refillable water bottles so being able to check in on that one was a nice boost during a period of my life where I was really struggling. Overall, I feel that this challenge cemented the importance of individual actions in my own life to combat ecological collapse.

Nature

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Calum Hanawalt 10/31/2025 10:44 PM

A culture that spends most of its time indoors will lose connection with the natural world. We also don't receive important components of our health like vitamin D from sunlight which is nearly impossible to adequately supplement.

Waste

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

Calum Hanawalt 10/31/2025 10:43 PM

I already have made this a permanent habit! I'm very cheap and just don't want to pay for water bottles.

Energy

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Calum Hanawalt 10/31/2025 10:42 PM

I can keep my lights off in rooms that I'm not currently in.

Ray Taylor 10/31/2025 9:51 PM

I was able to see what my foot print is which was very inspiring. I was able to replace so many of my products at home with non plastics containers. I was able to find lots of local farms and local farmers markets. I was able to buy lots of used clothing. And I was able to try to persuade a few stores to rethink their packaging. Also it has inspired me to meal prep and stop ordering take out! I think this was a great experiment.

Kim Smith 10/31/2025 8:21 PM

What a joy to participate in the People's Ecochallenge 2025! I have been involved with the Northwest Earth Institute - now Ecochallenge.org - for 30 years.

We have included all of the Course Discussion books in our Portland Community College book groups over the years and I have been able to use many of them in my Environmental Sociology classes. We are currently reading the 30th anniversary edition of the "Choices for Sustainable Living" book in my Environmental Sociology and it is really fascinating. My students in that class, as well as my Social Change class, are all participating in our PCC Ecopanthers Ecochallenge Team. I look forward to reading their reflections.

Personally, so many of the actions that I have chosen in Ecochallenges over the years have made a huge different in my life, home, yard, and community. I am grateful for the structure of the Ecochallenge model to introduce new ideas and practices and to change habits to reduce my eco-footprint.

Thank you, Ecochallenge leaders, for creating these wonderful opportunities for social change and collective impact!

Waste

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Lesley Rodriguez-Lagunes 10/31/2025 7:51 PM

Many places have alarms on grocery carts so you can't take them outside. I usually stack my items from biggest to smallest and hope for the best. I put smaller things in my pocket than carry whatever I can. I have been doing better at remembering to bring reusable bags or cardboard boxes for heavier stuff.

Health

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What changes did you make to improve your sleep, and how did they affect your day?

lilah davis 10/31/2025 6:27 PM

I think I would like to work on keeping my sleep schedule consistent. Some days I sleep in more than others, and I think it throws me off. Keeping it the same would create a habit and stabilize my energy.

Community

What did you learn about in the documentary you watched? How did it make you feel?

Theo Thompson 10/31/2025 8:31 AM

I had seen this one before, Little Big Farm, but one of the people there had visited the farm and spoken with some folks there. They were visiting to gather information about the regenerative farm they are starting. It was interesting to hear how the amount of time and the kind of farming that was practiced has a big impact on the future productivity of that land but also how regenerative practices can make big changes relatively quickly. It was uplifting to watch this again and to hear it connected to the real life of someone I know.

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