Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Grant Sullivan

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
551 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

20

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

185

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people

Grant'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

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

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

Industry

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

Bioplastics

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 2 friends, family and/or colleagues.

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 10 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

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

Land Sinks

Learn about Temperate Forests

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will spend at least 10 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 10 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

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

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

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

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

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 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?

Grant Sullivan 12/10/2020 6:16 AM

Before this assignment, I had not heard the term “silvopasture”. Now that I have learned more about it, I think that it brings many advantages to everyone involved, including the farmer, animals, and the environment. I think that the biggest advantage of silvopasture is its ability to counteract the negative effects of methane from the animals and sequester carbon from our atmosphere.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Learn about the Need for Family Planning

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?

Grant Sullivan 12/04/2020 6:21 AM

I learned that family planning can be a helpful resource to women who do not want to risk unplanned pregnancies and would rather plan it out. People in underdeveloped countries have a higher amount of people who need a safe way to plan this than those in more developed areas.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Learn about Temperate Forests

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?

Grant Sullivan 12/03/2020 7:43 AM

As I learn more about the seriousness of the environmental challenges that we face, my thinking and actions become more conservative. We should do all that we can to conserve this planet before it is too late. I feel overwhelmed by the fact that our planet is warming so much to the point that natural ecosystems are being destroyed and scientists are considering naming a time period based on the huge effect that humans have had on this planet. I feel hopeful because I realize that many people know about this issue and are working against it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Research Peatlands

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?

Grant Sullivan 12/03/2020 7:11 AM

To protect peatlands, I can stop consuming foods that contain palm oil. Surprisingly, palm oil can be found in many common types of chips, crackers, and even toothpaste. I can cut back on my intake of those products. I can also use digital documents rather than use paper when I normally would.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Grant Sullivan 12/01/2020 6:59 AM

There are many barriers that exist to women’s equal participation and/or representation in my community. Women have to work harder to gain positions of power like seats on the City Council, and titles like Principal and Superintendent. They are extremely underrepresented by some of the people who hold these seats.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Grant Sullivan 11/30/2020 8:21 AM

The climate is what concerns me the most about how we are affecting the planet. We are increasing temperatures and shortening the lifespan of the planet. On a local level, we should commit to using renewable sources of power. On a global level, we should commit to cutting back our carbon emissions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

What did you learn about the climate impact of refrigerants? How do supermarkets contribute to this impact?

Grant Sullivan 11/30/2020 7:06 AM

Refrigerants play a huge part in climate change. They are constantly using power to keep their items refrigerated. Supermarkets contribute to a massive part of the refrigerant usage and only make the climate impact worse.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Forest-Friendly Foods 1

How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

Grant Sullivan 11/24/2020 6:34 AM

My diet is currently increasing deforestation in areas like West Africa and Malaysia. My diet consists of meat, dairy, and other animal products (as well as occasional chocolate and palm oil products) that are not doing good things for our planet. This activity has helped me to reconsider my choices.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Grant Sullivan 11/23/2020 5:41 PM

Now that I know the difference between use by, sell by, and best by, dates, I will definitely make better decisions with my food and produce less food waste. I will also not dismiss foods with recently expired dates at the store as quickly as I used to.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Grant Sullivan 11/20/2020 7:36 AM

On my walk, I noticed a feeling of calm and peace. It was nice to get out and experience the cool morning and let my mind be clear. Part of what was nice was that there was little infrastructure and I didn't feel overwhelmed by what the rest of the day held.

Read More