Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Lily Foo

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
546 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

100

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

267

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person

Lily's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 3
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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 33 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 44 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 60 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 21 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 12 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 12 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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

Industry

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

Bioplastics

I will spend at least 30 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

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 17 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

UNCOMPLETED
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
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?

Lily Foo 12/10/2020 6:51 AM

I had not heard of silvopasture before now. I think the biggest advantage of silvopasture is the benefits to the livestock and the environment. Not only does it increase cattle health, but also lowers the methane and carbon footprint on the environment, benefiting both the farmer and the globe.

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?

Lily Foo 12/04/2020 8:05 AM

A sustainable community is one that is run completely on green energy, as well as uses degradable materials so as not to produce too much waste, and finally, the citizens recycle and compost. For this vision to become a reality it would take a massive effort to transfer our energy needs from fossil fuels to green energy, probably requiring a large investment up front. It would also take a national effort to start using biodegradable materials as a replacement for plastic, as well as educating the public on how to go green.

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?

Lily Foo 12/03/2020 10:16 AM

I learned how important family planning was not only for these women but for our planet in general. Providing access to family planning allows women and girls to secure their future, have kids when they want, and get a quality education. As this happens, more and more women are able to pull themselves out of poverty, ensuring a better life for themselves and their children. Providing family planning also often results in fewer children, which would decrease the overall population. With time, the effects of family planning can have a sizable effect on the population. The needs of people differ depending on where they live. Those living in poverty will not have as ready access to the essentials like shelter, healthcare, and healthy food. Those living in developed countries have access to these resources and therefore an easier time getting an education and living a better life.

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?

Lily Foo 12/02/2020 9:47 AM

It makes me realize that in order to stop the damage we as humans cause, and to transition to a greener lifestyle globally, a big effort will have to be made globally, including people like me. We can't just stand by and watch the planet we live on degrades. Everyday people like me need to start making changes in our everyday life, from the food we eat to the electricity we use to the cars we drive. It makes me realize that I have to participate in this effort to save our planet. There are so many things that need to change, and it feels like the problems we face are out of our hands. I wouldn't know where to start, and it certainly feels overwhelming. You feel like one small part of this planet, and nothing you can do will make a difference. What makes me feel hopeful is that people are starting to realize that something needs to be done. Already, there are groups across the globe making a difference, advocating for a change. I think that as more and more people become educated, we will start to transition as humans into a cleaner lifestyle.

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?

Lily Foo 12/01/2020 8:06 AM

First, I can help protect peat bogs by knowing what I buy. Avoiding products like palm oil, who have caused the damage of peat bogs, will lessen the need for more destruction to continue. Also, switching to some form of green energy will reduce the amount of carbon needed to produce electricity, saving peat bogs from mining. Finally, I can spread awareness around my community so others know the effects of their actions on the ecosystem and hopefully cause others to change their lifestyles as well.

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?

Lily Foo 11/30/2020 1:19 PM

Some barriers for women in my community include widespread bias, access to affordable housing, access to contraceptives, and abortion rights.

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.

Lily Foo 11/30/2020 12:06 PM

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
I'm really most worried about the constant habitat destruction and sucking of natural resources. It's just maddening that our human ignorance and stupidity is negatively affecting all of these organisms that really didn't need to be affected if we could just get our stuff together. We have the information required to convert to green energy, but the actions we are taking are slow if any, and I really wish we could make one, big global effort to save our planet. One example is President Trump rolling back EPA restrictions on things like mining, while there was solid evidence that doing such a thing would severely damage the environment and those that rely on that land.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?

Lily Foo 11/30/2020 10:09 AM

I learned that throughout the past few decades there have been a variety of refrigerants used, all with their own negative impacts on the environment. For example, CFC was once used as a refrigerant and it is capable of breaking down the ozone layer. Supermarkets contribute to this impact because they always have a lot of food that needs to be refrigerated, therefor they use a lot of refrigerants.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Lily Foo 11/24/2020 8:10 AM

My diet consists of many of the things they said were causing deforestation like meat, dairy, palm oil, etc. To reduce my negative impact on the environment, as well as increase my positive impact, I can start using palm oil substitutes, as well as eat less meat and dairy in my day to day meals.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Keep Track of Wasted Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Where would you rather use this money?

Lily Foo 11/23/2020 9:00 AM

I would rather use this money investing in my future, like saving up for a car or investing in my college funds. I can think of a lot of situations in day to day life where an extra $1500 would come in handy.

Read More