Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Jenna Corti

Students of Sheridan's Sustainability Class

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
143 TOTAL

Jenna's actions

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

UNCOMPLETED
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).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Tour a Green Roof

Green and Cool Roofs

I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect With A Nonprofit

Health and Education

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans/nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Try Carpooling

Carpooling

I will commute by carpool 15 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Listen to the Planet Money Podcast – “Sell Me Your Climate Bombs”

Planet Money recently interviewed the co-founders of Tradewater to learn about the dangerous impact that old refrigerants have on our environment. I will listen to the podcast to learn more about this necessary solution in fighting a climate crisis.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 4 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Building Resilience

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Learn about the impact of old refrigerants

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links provided

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry

Why are old refrigerant gases so harmful to our environment?
Jenna Corti 4/04/2021 7:16 PM
I learned that the refrigerants pollute the environment in two ways. They leak out of the refrigeration or heat pump system and directly pollute th atmosphere. They also leach into the land in landfills and eventually pollute the water table and earth.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!
Jenna Corti 4/04/2021 7:14 PM
I listened to a podcast that covered information about what biomass is. The podcast is called "Biotechnology and Sustainability with John Melo and Beth Bannerman" from Sustainability Defined. I was surprised to learn that there are two ways biomass can be used for energy. It can either be burned directly, or converted into a gas and then used.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?
Jenna Corti 2/25/2021 1:26 PM
I have researched some simple composting storage bins. I have tried to compost in the past but my family did not like the idea. I was in a Home Goods store the other day in my area and saw a porcelain compost bucket and plan to purchase it. With hopes that the porcelain finish with enable a second chance for food waste to be stored in the kitchen.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?
Jenna Corti 2/25/2021 1:24 PM
It has been challenging for me to reduce my intake of animal based products and bi-products. In order to educate myself and bring a heightened awareness to the issue, I chose to watch two documentaries on Netflix that I have previously watched. They are: 1) What the Health and 2) Cowspiracy. These documentaries reveal so many ugly truths about the animal and agriculture industry. It has been helping me make my decisions toward plant-based diet since it is now on my mind.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?
Jenna Corti 2/25/2021 1:21 PM
Geothermal Heat Pump installation is a simple design with an energy efficient outcome. There are a couple different ways to install the system. Once the tubing underground reaches the heat pump, the conventional heating/cooling system is identical. I watched this hands on YouTube video with a construction company.

Debunking 3 Geothermal Myths by Matt Risinger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLns7OFpiY

Notes:

He had 4 return legs to 4 geothermal wells

1 ¼ in diameter lines

Manifold station

Isolation valves

Can maintenance and service each well independently

4 lines → 2 lines

Price

35-50% more of an investment

Ductwork is the same inside

Infrastructure is mainly the same

Still have a lot of the same HVAC technology

Exterior condenser unit

Heat pump

Interior unit

Interconnecting refrigeration piping

Geothermal pipes carrying glycol mixture

Well drilling - biggest difference in cost

Continuous loop of piping underground

Glycol mixture

Inhibited propylene glycol

Freeze protection
Freeze point = 15 degrees instead of 32 degrees for water

Inhibitors
Helps keep pipes clean

Longevity

Water was always an issue

Filters - centrifugal filter

“Sand Master” - helical filter

Centrifuge

Separates dirt and sediment and it goes down the drain line

Closed loop

Better heat transfer

Updated systems:

Variable speed pumps

Monitoring pressure in system

3 way control valves

Can easily last 25 years with no problems

History

We now use closed wells

Open wells

Like drinking water wells

Dirt and debris

Wear and tear on system

Closed wells
Not touching water
Read More
Jenna Corti 1/27/2021 3:58 PM
Here is an interesting article from NatGeo that was sent out in the Newsletter today!

"Earth's odd rotation may solve an ancient climate mystery"
A geologic change might have plunged lush landscapes into arid zones, killing off an array of creatures—and it might happen again one day.

Read More
Jenna Corti 1/27/2021 3:52 PM
Hi,
This site is helping me set goals to be more sustainable! When I was living on my own I was vegan, composting and biking everywhere. Now, my life is different due to the fact that I do not make all my meals. However, I am striving to make an impact individually and in my local community still. I like that this site offers educational goals as well. The "one-time" action goals I chose are ones that I have been putting on the back-burner for far too long. I am excited to embark on learning even more about this field.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

List 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?
Jenna Corti 1/27/2021 3:50 PM
I go to the gym ever evening with my 2 friends. We car pool in order to save gas. It is extremely efficient to drive together because we live within a 1 mile radius of each other. I used to go to a different gym, but decided to change to this one so I could be involved in a carpool.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?
Jenna Corti 1/27/2021 3:48 PM
Fruits and vegetables contain so many vitamins and nutrients that are crucial to our bodily functions. A plant-based diet is a very effective way to decrease your CO2 emissions individually.

Read More

"Earth's odd rotation may solve an ancient climate mystery"