Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

Talia Weizman

Asheville High School Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
757 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

20

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

6.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

321

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person

Talia's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 15 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 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 60 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips

Bioplastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 20 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

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 40 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

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

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 on a hike

I will go on a hike in nature.

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

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

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 0
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 1
DAILY 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

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

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 3 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY 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

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
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller Portions

While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?

Talia Weizman 12/09/2020 6:59 PM

Health benefits- when i don't overload myself with food, I feel much better and energized. Also creates a more intentional mindset about eating.

Read More
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?

Talia Weizman 12/08/2020 9:37 AM

No, and there are so many advantages, but I would say the health and well-being of the livestock is super important, and also the positive effect on the environment and the decreasing of greenhouse gas emissions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Watch a Video about Methane Digesters

What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

Talia Weizman 12/04/2020 4:58 PM

My vision of a sustainable community looks like people working together to prioritize the environment, gender equity, and equal opportunity. For this vision to become a reality, my among many other's consumer mindset, greedy corporations, and instant-profit priorities would need to be changed.

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?

Talia Weizman 12/03/2020 5:37 PM

I learned that in places where family planning is prioritized, birth rates are dramatically decreased, thus positively affecting the environment.

People in high-income countries are responsible for much of greenhouse gas emissions. This is not only due to the money to afford products and services, but also a culture of consummation.

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?

Talia Weizman 12/02/2020 11:44 AM

1. I am more motivated to change my actions regarding the environment- focusing on things like diet, water conservation, compost and recycling, energy efficient appliances and light fixtures, etc.

2. The scope of the problem. Feeling as though the people in power are not taking this seriously enough. Also the feeling that I’m not doing even close to my share.

3. Learning about it in school, sharing thoughts with others, green energy, maybe even a future career involving environmental protection in which I can really help.

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?

Talia Weizman 12/01/2020 5:25 PM

Buying less palm oil and pulp products and reusing or recycling paper.

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?

Talia Weizman 11/30/2020 5:24 PM

Lack of sexual education, lack of support for girls in poverty, the pink tax, period costs, social gender norms, and the gender pay-gap.

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.

Talia Weizman 11/30/2020 6:32 AM

I am most concerned about the lack of political action regarding environmental issues. Although everyday actions such as composting, conserving energy and water, and being plant-based are important and impactful, at the rate we are killing our environment, legislative action is needed. The same people that put the economy above all else can’t seem to understand that prioritizing the environment now is investing in and ensuring our future, thus affecting long-term profit and economic growth.

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?

Talia Weizman 11/25/2020 8:22 PM

I learned that chemicals in refrigerants can have a damaging affect on the environment and the ozone layer. Supermarkets can recycle appliances.

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?

Talia Weizman 11/24/2020 6:39 AM

I eat quite a bit of chocolate, coffee, palm oil, and dairy and eggs. This is causing deforestation globally as well as putting money in the hands of big corporations. I can cut down my consumption of these products as well as look for substitutes and symbols on coffee and chocolate such as “Shadegrown” or a Rainforest Alliance seal.

Read More