Melinda Enochs-Baucom

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

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

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

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.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

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

I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

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

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

I will buy organic cotton and foods grown without the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

I will take a walk for 25 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

I will contact 2 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.