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Sonya Kougasian's avatar

Sonya Kougasian

Parsippany Parsleys

"“The Earth is what we all have in common.” —Wendell Berry"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 2,591 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    245
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    122
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    68
    miles
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    41
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    17
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    91
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    80
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    68
    miles
    traveled by carpool
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent outdoors

Sonya's actions

Action Track: Building Resilience

Support Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management

I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

COMPLETED
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

Action Track: Building Resilience

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

Tropical Forest Restoration

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

COMPLETED 43
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Express My Support For Walkable Cities

Walkable Cities

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Invite a friend to calculate the carbon footprint of their household

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.

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

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

Electricity

Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives

All Electricity Solutions

I will research and tell 5 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 6 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY 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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 4
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Tend A Garden

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 15 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Host a Film Screening

Health and Education

I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 5 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 5 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail

High-Speed Rail

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Learn about Carbon Offsets

I will visit Tradewater’s website to learn more about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Advocate For Greener Vehicles

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

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

Transportation

Explore Other Transportation Solutions

All Transportation Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Try Carpooling

Carpooling

I will commute by carpool 30 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings

Fix Leaky Faucets

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Research Heat Pumps

High-Efficiency Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Plan to Insulate

Insulation

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

Multiple Solutions

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

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.

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
    Buildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
    Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 10:58 AM
    I think any climate action plan can be made more equitable and socially just by making the resources or actions it introduces accessible and affordable. It wouldn't be sustainable if it didn't include everyone.

  • Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 8:15 AM
    The fact that Sour Patch Kids (and Sour Patch Watermelons) are vegan is dangerous...
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings Research Heat Pumps
    Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 6:37 AM
    Taking action on climate change is important to me, because I find it really sad to think of future generations of humans and non-human animals not existing. It's almost unfathomable, but this could be reality.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Invite a friend to calculate the carbon footprint of their household
    What kinds of discussions did you have, or are you hoping to have with friends about climate change?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 6:34 AM
    When discussing climate change with friends and family, I hope to instill a sense of urgency, while also encouraging small actions that have the potential to create big changes.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Support a Community Garden
    What are the multiple benefits of community gardens, including carbon sequestration? Why do these benefits matter to you?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 5:25 AM
    Community gardens have myriad benefits. One is the ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere through carbonation. Another is the ability to increase biodiversity, while also visibly improving the aesthetic value of public land. Benefits for the people involved in managing the gardens include increased access to fresh foods, increased physical activity, and improved mental health.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives
    What inspiration and wisdom can you gather from your family, faith, or community traditions that would help you in both communicating about and addressing our most pressing energy issues?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/06/2021 5:11 AM
    Though I don't consider myself religious, I grew up in a Catholic household. In Genesis, the first people were given the responsibility of caring for all creation, which I think is a message that can be used to communicate the need for people nowadays to be stewards of the Earth. 

  • Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/05/2021 12:16 PM
    I baked a vegan lemon pound cake for Easter, and it was delicious! I shared some with two of my coworkers, and I don't think they would have known it was vegan if I hadn't told them. It was a hit! :) 

  • Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/05/2021 12:14 PM
    I recently tried the TikTok famous baked feta pasta, but made it vegan. I'm obsessed!  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health and Education Host a Film Screening
    Thank you for raising awareness of women's and gender equality issues. What is the next step to actually address this disparity?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 4/04/2021 6:11 PM
    I think it can be overwhelming to think about gender disparity on a global level. But as one person who identifies as female, I'd like to think I can do my part by advocating for myself and other women in my life. At work for instance, I think it's important to support my female coworkers and help them share ideas or learn new skills.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Buildings Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
    What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?

    Sonya Kougasian's avatar
    Sonya Kougasian 3/11/2021 7:22 PM
    In my opinion, a sustainable water future needs to combine personal, industry, and regulatory actions. Conserving water needs to be easy and affordable for the average person to do.