Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Annalise Johnson

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
660 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

136

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

3.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

70

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

37

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

385

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

25

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

15

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

62

miles

traveled by bike

Annalise's actions

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

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

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 8 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 25 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go by Bike

Bicycle Infrastructure

I will commute by bike 40 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 45 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 25 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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Annalise Johnson 12/09/2020 10:22 AM
I had not learned about silvopasture before now, but after learning about it, I think the biggest advantage is the decrease in CO2 emissions on silvopasture grazing grounds, and the adaptability to different weather that Silvopasture ecosystems allow.

Read More
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?
Annalise Johnson 12/08/2020 5:08 PM
I think because meat is expensive, and in poorer countries, it's easier to cultivate crops and plants for food than raising animals and then setting up a whole system to have accessible meat. Eating more meat is a good source of protein, but also raises cholesterol levels, and can harm our bodies, planet, and other people, as well.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Annalise Johnson 12/07/2020 9:06 AM
Spending more time outdoors can enhance my sense of place because the outdoors are extremely peaceful. Being outside, exploring my surrounding areas, and connecting with nature can make me much more appreciative of my life, how lucky I am to explore, and it can also teach me about the outdoors, wildlife, and nature.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

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?
Annalise Johnson 12/07/2020 8:59 AM
By reducing our carbon footprint, whether that may be walking places more often, carpooling, riding our bikes, installing more efficient fixtures in our homes, or other choices, so that Peatlands don’t have to absorb as much CO2, and they can better live.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

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?
Annalise Johnson 12/07/2020 8:24 AM
This has an impact on my thinking and actions because I want to help in some way. There are plenty of people who are trying to make a difference, and I want to be a part of it, no matter how big or small the effect of my small changes will be.
The fact that the earth is warming up and there is very little we can do to stop it and we don’t know how much grave danger we’re in.
That there are things, like the Eco Challenge, available to try to make a positive change and help slow down this crisis.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Annalise Johnson 12/04/2020 6:34 AM
One thing I learned about family planning is that when there is more access to affordable Healthcare and safe abortions for unplanned pregnancies is available in lower- income communities, the survival rate is much higher and it provides a safe alternative so women can stay safe and have good doctors. The needs of different people in different places compare to each other because often, in lower- income communities, people don't have as reliable easy, and safe access to good healthcare.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Annalise Johnson 12/03/2020 7:14 PM
I think my eating experience differs with mindfulness because I'm more aware of what I'm eating, the flavor, the people around me, and I'm able to enjoy my food more and be more present.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
Annalise Johnson 12/03/2020 9:12 AM
Some cultural barriers include patriarchal values, how culturally, in the past in the South, the men have always been in charge, and many believe that this is how it still should be. Another cultural barrier is chroniasm, where men hire their fellow men in high- powered jobs to gain even more power.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?
Annalise Johnson 12/02/2020 5:40 PM
Eating more fruits and vegetables benefits not only me physically and mentally, but it also helps other people and the planet because personally, when I'm eating healthier and eating more fruits and vegetables, I'm in a better mood, so that's always good for the people around me. Eating a better diet also helps the planet because there is less waste to create and dispose of it, there's less land used than to be eating meat, and I'm eating clean foods instead of processed foods that would otherwise be harming the planet.

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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?
Annalise Johnson 12/01/2020 12:34 PM
The kind of waste that motivates me to create change is water. I think it's completely terrible that a source as finite and valuable as water is wasted because people buy more food than they can eat. My family has a composting bin and we compost all food that we can to avoid squandering resources, like water.

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