Samantha Carlton
"my mission is to beat the german team <3"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 517 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO450gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO300minutesspent exercising
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UP TO2.0public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO255minutesbeing mindful
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UP TO11milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO16meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO44pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO54more servingsof fruits and vegetables
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UP TO80minutesspent learning
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UP TO11milestraveled by carpool
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UP TO60minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO4.0lightbulbsreplaced
Samantha's actions
Electricity
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Electricity
Calculate the carbon footprint of my household
I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.
Health and Education
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
Health and Education
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Health and Education
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
Health and Education
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
More Fruits And Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Transportation
Learn about Carbon Offsets
I will visit Tradewater’s website to learn more about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Smart Seafood Choices
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Transportation
Try Carpooling
Carpooling
I will commute by carpool 6 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Industry
Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
Electricity
Choose LED Bulbs
LED Lighting
I will replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Composting
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
Industry
Invite a friend to calculate the carbon footprint of their household
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.
Transportation
Stay on the Ground
Telepresence, High-Speed Rail
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Communicate With My Elected Officials
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Industry
Go Paperless
Recycled Paper
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Support Nutrient Management
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Action Track: Healing & Renewal
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 60 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Buildings
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Forest-Friendly Foods 2
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Industry
Encourage my company and/or organization to measure and manage their carbon footprint
Organizations have a responsibility to make sustainable business decisions. To understand how to improve sustainable practices, it’s important to start with understanding the current impact. I will share the Tradewater Business Carbon Calculator with my organization.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Electricity
Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy
Ocean Power
I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.
Electricity
Advocate for Solar Installation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Buy BambooAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Samantha Carlton 5/18/2022 11:35 AMI have only seen bamboo toilet paper and toothbrushes available in grocery stores. Before my local store had those available, I opted for products that had low amounts of packaging, bought things in bulk (not food), and tried to make my own things (DIY dry shampoo works, DIY toothpaste does not). -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Encourage my company and/or organization to measure and manage their carbon footprintWhat else can you do to hold your organization accountable to implement sustainable practices?
Samantha Carlton 5/18/2022 11:33 AMMy company is a family company so the most effective thing I can do to implement sustainable practices is to literally just do it myself. We already have reusable silverware in the kitchen, but I can change out styrofoam cups for paper ones (and peer pressure other people into bringing their own reusable water bottle), snap at my brother when he puts paper in the trash instead of the recycling, and suggest plant-based options when we get lunch for the office. I am the youngest child and only daughter so I get away with a lot more than my brothers would be able to if they were hippie liberals like me. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONIndustry Learn About & Practice Sustainable FashionHow can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?
Samantha Carlton 5/18/2022 11:29 AMI rent a lot of my clothes, so I am able to change out pieces in my wardrobe frequently without having to participate in fast fashion. Even though it still isn't entirely eco-friendly due to the emissions from shipping, it's definitely better than buying mass amounts of clothes on Amazon like I did when I was younger. I also sew my clothes sometimes, but I'm not very good and am too embarrassed to wear those clothes in public. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONElectricity Calculate the carbon footprint of my householdAfter you determined your carbon footprint, did you see what different choices you can make in order to reduce it?
Samantha Carlton 5/18/2022 11:28 AMI see what needs to change in order to be more sustainable, but I am not currently able to make those changes due to living in an apartment and not having a choice over where my energy comes from and living in an area (during summer/winter) that is not pedestrian-friendly and requires a car. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCoastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood ChoicesMany 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?
Samantha Carlton 5/18/2022 11:24 AMI don't eat fish (and never have), but I wanted to research this topic because my parents eat fish several times a week and I worry for them. In Virginia, there are certain areas where the water may be contaminated (and therefore the fish), but most are not. I think the responsibility of that falls on the fisherman and not the consumer, because I don't the grocery store has that specific of a location when you ask where fish is from. The Virginia Department of Health says to eat most fish in Virginia Beach/Chesapeake less than twice a month, so I will just be sending my parents the link to the article I read and hope for the best. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Support Nutrient ManagementHow does environmental quality influence your sense of community?
Samantha Carlton 5/17/2022 9:08 AMI think when the environmental quality is better, people are happier and nicer to be around. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Communicate With My Elected OfficialsWhat inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Samantha Carlton 5/17/2022 9:08 AMThis will probably sound bad, but I think a lot of my action is driven by fear of what may happen in the future if I don't advocate for sustainable energy. I think it also helps a lot that I'm surrounded by a lot of young people who are also interested in this topic, so it's easy to jump on their plans instead of figuring out what to do myself. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Try CarpoolingList some of the places you frequent often (work, grocery store, natural areas). Could you choose one or two days a week to schedule driving with a friend, neighbor or co-worker to these places?
Samantha Carlton 5/17/2022 9:06 AMI usually drive to the grocery store and to the school gym (I go at night), and I usually drive to the grocery store with my roommate and sometimes one of my friends. I try to take my friends to the gym with me but they usually just don't want to go, otherwise I would drive them. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Go for a Daily WalkWhat have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Samantha Carlton 5/17/2022 9:05 AMI've been walking to school since I've been in Germany, and I've loved seeing all of the houses and gardens on my way there. In Germany, I don't think many infrastructure changes are needed, but in Columbia, I think we could definitely have more green spaces around. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Use Muscle PowerHow do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
Samantha Carlton 5/17/2022 9:04 AMI definitely enjoy walking short distances more than anything. I feel like it's a good time for me to just listen to my music and have time to myself; it's very relaxing. The major con is that in a lot of places, I can feel very unsafe while walking or biking, so a lot of the time I have to drive instead.