Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Derek Ren

Blue and Gold Greenies

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
259 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

5.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

90

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

6.0

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

4.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors

Derek's actions

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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Connect With A Nonprofit

Health and Education

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans/nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

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

COMPLETED 2
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

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?

Derek Ren 4/28/2023 5:18 PM

I used to incorporate a lot of non-vegetarian food options into my diet without thinking about the impact it was having on myself and the earth. But as I learned more about the environmental and health consequences of meat consumption, I began to make changes to my own lifestyle. I started doing this after I learned that high levels of meat consumption have been linked to many different health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and obesity. These health risks directly increase with the amount of red and processed meat that we consume, which was extremely alarming to me. When it comes to the impact of meat on our planet, the consequences are just as bad, if not more so. The production of meat contributes to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock farming also requires vast amounts of land, water, and feed, which puts a strain on our natural resources. Moreover, many people around the world do not have access to enough food, and the amount of land used to raise livestock could instead be used to grow crops that could feed these disadvantaged populations. Additionally, the meat industry is associated with a range of social justice issues, such as poor working conditions and low wages for workers. So, with that, I started to eat more plant-based meals and found that there are so many tasty vegetarian and vegan options out there that made me feel like I wasn't missing out on anything. I also started to look for meat that was raised more sustainably, such as grass-fed beef or free-range chicken. I found that reducing my meat consumption not only had a positive impact on my own health, but it also made me to feel like I was contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.

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- SOPHIA KALANSKI 4/30/2023 12:46 AM
  
  Hi Derek! First thing I want to say is YUM!! I also have been eating a lot more vegetarian-based foods recently after learning more about animal cruelty and the negative impacts meat has on both us as people and on the environment through mass factory production. It was something that was difficult for me to do at first because I was so accustomed my whole life to eat a lot of meat with my meals but now, I can see myself fully becoming vegetarian. I think the issue with climate change comes back to the inability of people to change the "status quo" or what they have always been used to because they are so comfortable with how things currently are. I hope that more people in the future can join in eating vegetarian foods and being more conscious of buying free-range chicken to stop their support of these factories.
  
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Derek Ren 4/28/2023 5:05 PM

Today, I made a conscious effort to be more eco-friendly by taking a number of small but impactful actions. First, I walked to class instead of driving my car, which reduced my carbon footprint and helped me stay active at the same time. Secondly, I brought a reusable water bottle and coffee mug with me to class, which allowed me to avoid using single-use plastic cups and bottles. These actions were eco-friendly because they helped me reduce the amount of waste I produce and the emissions that are released into the atmosphere. Walking instead of driving a car can significantly reduce carbon emissions, as well as promote physical health and well-being. Bringing my own reusable water bottle and coffee mug also helps to reduce plastic waste and promote a more sustainable use of resources. It is important to be eco-friendly because our actions can have a significant impact on the environment, and the health and well-being of ourselves and future generations. The Earth has a limited amount of resources and if we do not take steps to use them more sustainably, we risk depleting them and damaging the environment in the process. Additionally, by being eco-friendly, we can reduce our carbon footprint and help to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is arguable one of the most important global issues. Making eco-friendly choices can be as simple as walking instead of driving and using reusable items instead of disposable ones. These small actions can add up to make a big difference in promoting a more sustainable and healthy planet. It is up to each of us to take responsibility for our actions and make choices that support a more eco-friendly future.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

How does city planning and design relate to equity and climate change?

Derek Ren 4/28/2023 4:49 PM

City planning and design have a significant impact on both equity and climate change. Urban areas contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and low-income and marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by the resulting environmental and health impacts. Thus, city planning and design should be done in a way that promotes equity and mitigates climate change. Firstly, city planning and design can impact equity by determining how resources are allocated across different neighborhoods. For example, city planners can ensure that low-income and marginalized communities have access to green spaces, public transportation, and healthy food options. This can help promote equity and improve the overall health and well-being of residents in those areas. Secondly, city planning and design can impact climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, planners can encourage the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and promote the use of public transportation and biking instead of driving. Additionally, planners can design buildings that are more energy-efficient and promote the use of green spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Moreover, city planning and design can also promote equity and mitigate climate change by incorporating community input and involvement. Engaging with community members, especially those from marginalized communities, can ensure that their needs and perspectives are considered in the planning process. This can help promote more equitable outcomes and ensure that the impacts of climate change are mitigated for all residents. Using LA as an example shows how these factors are interconnected. One of the major challenges faced by Los Angeles is the disproportionate impact of climate change on its low-income communities and communities of color. Historically, these communities have been subject to redlining, discriminatory zoning practices, and environmental racism, which has resulted in higher levels of pollution, poorer air quality, and limited access to green spaces. In order to address these issues, city planners and designers have been working to promote equity and sustainability through various initiatives. Another key aspect of city planning and design in Los Angeles is the promotion of green infrastructure. This includes the development of parks, green roofs, and permeable pavement, which help to mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce stormwater runoff. These measures not only improve environmental health but also promote social equity by providing access to green spaces in historically underserved communities.

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Derek Ren 4/17/2023 9:24 PM

Taking walks around my neighborhood in my home state was something that I always enjoyed to do, whether it was to wind down after a large meal or spend time with family in an active way. However, something that I realized moving to California was that being able to take walks in a beautiful neighborhood, and being able to walk in general, is a great privilege. For example, back in my home state, the sidewalks in my neighborhood were always well paved and had little to no cracks or damage. Also, the ground itself was very level, which made walking even more easy. However, in LA, I’ve noticed that it is not uncommon to see heavily run-down sidewalks, with huge potholes or cement shattering tree roots present on every other block. Further, the ground itself is very steep which makes walking difficult for even young, able-bodied college students. These experiences made me realize that having safe and accessible infrastructure is not just important for disabled individuals, but everybody regardless of physical disposition. For people who have disabilities and need assistance in moving, accessible public infrastructure is crucial since being able to get to and from places is necessary for being self-dependent and for maintaining dignity. For others like me, it’s an opportunity for me to be more present, which in turn makes me more productive and more valuable to society. One way that I have tried to make a difference, albeit small, is to pick up sticks or other debris that may be obstructing sidewalks and other walkways. This way, the next person will have a more safe and easy path to travel on. But, in order to make real sweeping change we need to focus on public policy. This is due to the fact that policy makers and other government representatives are ultimately in charge of public infrastructure, which means that our job as constituents is to create urgency around this issue through advocacy. Here is a photo of one of the more damaged sidewalks in LA, and here is another photo of a newly paved sidewalk that shows that change is not only attainable, but currently ongoing.

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