Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Sarah Comer

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
696 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

95

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

4.5

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

190

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person
UP TO

10

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

4.0

miles

traveled by bike

Sarah's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Keep Track of Wasted Food

Reduced Food Waste

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Drawdown Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 13 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 27 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 6 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

Bioplastics

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 28 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 14 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

Methane Digesters

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Tend A Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go by Bike

Bicycle Infrastructure

I will commute by bike 2 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 7 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 10 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Learn about Biochar

Can biochar provide additional benefits besides sequestering carbon?

Sarah Comer 12/04/2020 12:14 PM

Yes, biochar can also enrich the soil.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Learn More about Silvopasture

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

Sarah Comer 12/04/2020 11:53 AM

No, I had never heard about it before. I think that it’s very beneficial because it increases the health and productivity of the land and animals, while also more convenient and easy for farmers.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal Tend A Garden

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

Sarah Comer 12/01/2020 9:20 AM

I've realized that tending to plants and remembering to water them and keep them alive, helps me realize I need to do the same with myself and the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Go by Bike

How does using human-powered transportation make you feel compared to using other methods of transportation?

Sarah Comer 12/01/2020 9:16 AM

It makes me feel good and productive because it gives me exercise while also helping the planet.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Sarah Comer 11/30/2020 12:31 PM

It uses sustainable/renewable energy and is free of greenhouse gases and fossil fuels. Lots of steps need to be taken and we can do so by cutting back on fossil fuels and replacing them with more eco-friendly options. Putting aside more money to work on this would be much more beneficial to the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?

Sarah Comer 11/29/2020 12:58 PM

I learned that it's very important to have access to family planning, but lots of women around the world are not getting it. Developing countries are less likely to have these resources compared to more developed countries.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Learn about Temperate Forests

As you learn more about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, what impact does that have on your thinking and actions? What are the parts that feel overwhelming? What parts help you feel hopeful?

Sarah Comer 11/29/2020 8:59 AM

As I continue to learn more about conservation and environmental challenges, it makes me want to be more conscious of my actions and make them more eco-friendly. It's overwhelming to look at the damage already done, but hopeful to see that there are solutions and people willing to help.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Research Peatlands

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?

Sarah Comer 11/27/2020 2:21 PM

Stay away from products containing palm oil and reduce the use of paper as much as possible.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Sarah Comer 11/27/2020 1:28 PM

I think women in schools are expected to perform less or paid less for the same job in the workplace. We are also fighting basic women's needs and are forced to pay more for essential items needed each month, and are continuing to fight for the right to decide and control what to do with our bodies and healthcare.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Sarah Comer 11/27/2020 12:51 PM

I feel like we need to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuels, in general, to make a big step to reverse climate change. I also think the use of plastic should be reduced to limit the amount of trash going out into the environment.

Read More