Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Emile Rizzo-Banks

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
436 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

141

minutes

spent learning

Emile's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 1

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 15 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

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

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

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

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 20 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 10 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Learn More about Silvopasture

Silvopasture

I will spend at least 10 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Research Heat Pumps

High-Efficiency Heat Pumps

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 10 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
Buildings

Why is taking action on climate change important to you? Why do you care?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/10/2020 12:43 PM
Because if we don't there won't be an earth left to live on :(

But the good news is that after researching the topics I've found out that the solutions are a lot easier than I thought and people are working hard to make it happen.

Read More
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?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/10/2020 12:36 PM
This is the first time I've heard about silvopasture, and after learning about it I think it makes a lot of sense to plant trees on the pasture so that the carbon can be held in better.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/10/2020 12:19 PM
Refrigerators release CFCs and other harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, this hurts the ozone layer.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/04/2020 11:47 AM
One where the government listens to Scientists. And also has the money to fund projects of all the different types of Environmental improvement we've learned about.

Read More
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?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/03/2020 12:20 PM
The needs of the people really depend on how developed the country is, what culture is like in the country, and what is the income of the family. Because it’s kind of a different situation for everyone around the world although the solutions are still mostly the same.

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?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/02/2020 8:32 AM
The biggest difference In terms of protecting forests internationally, is by not buying products from companies that destroy these places. Also donating money to organizations that want to restore these places.

How quickly we will have to act.

That there are in fact simple solutions to these complex problems.

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?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 12/01/2020 9:17 AM
By choosing to buy foods and products that don’t harm the peatland and effectively boycotting the companies that do destroy the land.

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?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 11/30/2020 11:51 AM
In almost all places around the world including my community, there is a big gap in wages between men and women for the same job. There is also still a large group of people who believe women should not be in power because they will get too emotional.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 11/24/2020 2:45 PM
Luckily for me, I am a vegetarian so I’m doing a little better than most. But I still eat dairy and eggs and many processed foods that contribute to deforestation.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?
Emile Rizzo-Banks 11/23/2020 11:50 AM
I don't know how much it will affect my decisions but I'm glad to learn what the labels actually mean and how they're for.

Read More