Isabelle Workman

For my final eco-challenge post, I wanted to share that for the past week I've reduced the amount of water wasted while I take my shower. Embarrassingly, I usually am in the shower for around more than 10 minutes but now I've cut it down to half by shutting the water off when I wash my hair. A five-minute shower takes about 15 gallons of water so I've really made a huge improvement. Not only does this save water but also makes my dad happy when the hydro bill comes in:)

I enjoyed this activity because it got me to actively put into practice sustainable living. I would definitely recommend that this activity should be promoted to all students attending Vanier. It is such a great way to make small changes to your lifestyle. Already as a class, we’ve made such an impact and I am really proud to have chosen a class where it helps us make a difference in the world. Drawdown Eco challenge is a great tool that shouldn’t be reserved only for the 40 students taking Sustainability. It's also a great way for people like myself who likes to do hands-on activities because this activity provides a good way to take a break from being on Zoom and do something to immerse yourself in sustainability at home. For example, one of my eco challenges was to reduce the number of meat products consumed. I enjoyed researching recipes, creating a meal plan, buying the ingredients, and cooking meals for my family. This is the eco-challenge I am most proud of because initially, I wanted t to do it for one week, and now I am almost at one month. I was pretty consistent in my postings because I was motivated to make a change. It was inspiring to listen to the oral presentations going on during class as well as read what my classmates wrote for their eco challenges. This activity ended up feeling more of a fun thing than homework. I would say that getting my family to participate with me was a challenge. I know that some of my ideas were a bit out there and my parents were weary to integrate them into our home but I’m glad they did!

I learned that coffee, cocoa and meat, dairy and eggs are all foods that are "eating" the world's forests up. These food products are a part of my daily lifestyle but they also all play a role in the deforestation of our rainforests. For example, I learned that coffee plants used to live harmoniously in the rainforest but now to keep up with demand (approx. 3cups per person per day), 18 coffee trees are needed to sustain this habit. The same for cocoa plants. The new "hybrid" species created needs full sun exposure, so rainforests are destroyed to make room for their crops. Meat, dairy and eggs all require an immense amount of space to house all these animals. In addition, about 33% of land is dedicated to growing livestock feed. In order to make a more positive impact on the world by changing my lifestyle habits, I will switch to "shade-grown" coffee which means that the coffee tree was grown within the rainforest and means less deforestation had to take place. Java Planet has an organic, shade-grown branch of coffee beans that you can purchase on Amazon. Cocoa, I mostly use for hot chocolate, especially as the weather gets colder. So now as we head into the winter season I will make sure to look for the little green frog from the Rainforest Alliance to know which chocolate products are sustainable and environmental. As for my consumption of meat, dairy and egg products I will aim to consume even less than I already am. I have switched to oat and almond milk and have increased the number of vegetarian meals I eat during the week. 

I now carry with me in the bag my reusable straw, utensils and cup. I'll never know if I will need these items for example if I'm at work and buy a prepared meal or in a drive-through. By always having them with me I am sure not to use plastic 1-time use items. Just last week at work I was able to avoid using the plastic utensils they provide by using my metal ones. 

Last weekend my father and I installed new programmable thermostats. This helps us increase our energy efficiency in our homes and reduces our carbon footprint and greenhouse gases. Being more precise while heating our homes will allow us to monitor the inside temperature and adjust to the weather outside in a more sustainable way. 

This week my mother and I found a locally owned store that was able to refill our dish and laundry soap containers. Instead of always buying new packaging, this store gives you the opportunity to bring your own containers to refill. Things like hair shampoo, deodorant, soap and other various "bulk" items can be purchased at this store. It is a great way to avoid single-use packaging and cut down the amount of plastic you throw out. 

This month as the weather is starting to get colder, biking and walking to my destinations are getting tricky. However, I've tried to work around the weather by walking during the afternoon when the sun is out. For example, I had to go to the mall so I went around noon when the sun was shining and it warmed me up! But when I'm working late and have to bike home, I usually bundle myself up and I'm fine. I plan on using my bike until there is snow on the ground and wearing an extra sweater/jacket in the meanwhile. 

Eco Action: I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean. 
I downloaded the app and visited seafoodwatch.org. I learned that salmon are an environmental solution because they are so susceptible to climate change. This is why scientists use this species as an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. Salmon are a very vital piece in the ecosystem. 1)They "feed forests" meaning they are such an important food source for over 137 different species. 2)They break down damns. Salmon don't actually have the physical capability of breaking down dams on its own, but scientists are pressuring to change environmental laws to take down dams since they impact the migration of salmon. 3)Salmon sustains culture. Salmon are at the heart of ceremonies, art and identities for lots of Native tribes. 4) Salmon keeps humans healthy because it is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. 5)Salmon helps shape the landscape. Salmon sex has helped carve the mountain range of the Pacific Northwest. This happens when they stir up the ground to make holes for their eggs to lay in, it sends gravel downstream and loosens the riverbed making it more likely to change the layout of the riverbed.  

Eco Action: 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.
So instead of walking, I've been going on runs every night for the past week and I've really noticed that the bike path put in place all around my city really helps make the run more enjoyable. They have also indicated on the road various routes to take to either run/walk a 1,3,5 or 10km to avoid the heavier trafficked roads. 

Eco Action: watch a video about methane digesters. 
From the video, I learned that methane digesters aim to reduce odours and emissions from manure and food waste, create renewable energy and create a closed cycle for recycling organic material. It does this by treating (heating and pasteurizing) food waste and biosolids to 160F for 1hr. Mauneur then will be mixed with the treated food waste and will be pumped into the digester. The digester then heats the mixture again for 20-30 days at 100F. Microorganisms in the tank help break down the mixture. This will cause a release in biogas mainly made up of methane which will be used to generate renewable energy. This ultimately helps offset the carbon footprint of the institution using a methane digester.