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Welcome to Drawdown Ecochallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Drawdown Ecochallenge expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
Drawdown Ecochallenge
Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar

Rachel Huntley Koning

The Carbon Killers

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 538 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    70
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    44
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    1.3
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Rachel's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Support Local Food Systems

Plant-Rich Diets

I will source 10 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity Generation

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

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 10 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transport

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

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?

  • Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/24/2020 9:50 AM
    Anyone have a good recommendation for reusable sandwich bags for lunches? Silicone, wax, cloth...?
    Read More
    • Erin M's avatar
      Erin M 1/24/2020 4:26 PM
      I used a cloth one with a slickery lining and velcro to fasten - kinda looked like a yellow cloth diaper - appetizing! It was great, but went missing. I would just wash it with my dirty clothes. We also have sandwich tupperware, which isn't as cool, but we use those all the time!
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food 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?
    Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/14/2020 9:09 AM
    I'd never heard of silvopasture before, though the idea of rotational grazing is definitely a concept I've heard of and seen practiced by some of our awesome local ranchers in southern Oregon. Incorporating trees into pastureland makes total sense, too, for wildlife, protecting the soil from erosion, and offering another potential source of income for farmers/ranchers through lumber sales. Win, win, win.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transport Use Muscle Power
    How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?
    Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/07/2020 7:13 PM
    I often catch myself saying I can't walk because "I don't have enough time," but the truth is that I often don't make enough time. Today I did, and it felt great! Walking or biking to and from work is usually my favorite part of my day, when I make it a priority. Ready to make it happen more often!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Reduce Animal Products
    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?
    Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/05/2020 9:47 AM
    I've noticed I feel SO much better when I'm loading my plate with veggies, and --bonus-- they taste amazing. I'm a believer that everyone's body thrives on their own unique best-fit diet, but I'm also a big fan of sourcing meat (if you are going to eat animal protein) from farmers/ranchers/fishers who practice sustainable animal raising, like rotational grazing or methane digesters. We're all SO capable of making thoughtful choices when it comes to our food, and it really does make an impact. Lucky us, we live in an area where making these choices is easier (and delicious!) with the Growers and Crafters Market, Food Coops, CSAs and Port Orford FSA. Side note, if you love fresh fish, seriously try the Port Orford program! https://www.posustainableseafood.com No regrets!
    Read More
  • Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/05/2020 9:37 AM
    Erin, that article about the top foods that are leading to deforestation was a great resource. Here's another link to find Rainforest Alliance certified brands: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/find-certified These brands work with Rainforest Alliance to use/learn sustainable farming techniques (like shade-grown coffee). I'm going to bookmark this baby!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation 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?
    Rachel Huntley Koning's avatar
    Rachel Huntley Koning 1/03/2020 12:57 PM
    Holy cow! Probably shouldn't have watched this video right after lunch (bleh!), but it's AHHHHHHmazing what methane digestion systems can do for dairy farm byproducts.  I love that the waste that's left goes toward fertilizing that land, and total bonus that the whole process reduces odor too. Makes me excited to think that someday this could be the new normal, with more grants, research, and passion! Very cool model. 

    https://youtu.be/wVkMmUP3ei0
    Read More