Matt Yamin

"As someone who is constantly on the road due to my busy practice and tournament schedule, I sometimes find it difficult to reduce my carbon footprint. However, my mom instilled in me, at a young age, to be mindful of my consumption habits and my impact on the environment. Therefore, in age of uncertainty about the future of the planet, I dedicate parts of my daily routine in order to reduce my individual impact on its destruction."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
466 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

290

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

6.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

26

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning

Matt's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

More Fruits And Veggies

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 45 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

Multiple Industry Solutions

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Women-Owned Businesses

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will shop from women-owned business(es) today.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Transportation

Purchase a Carbon Offset

Efficient Aviation

If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Money for Endangered Species

I am fed up with hearing the news about the extinction of more and more species of animals. My goal is to help put an end to this through financial means.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Matt Yamin 5/30/2023 3:49 PM

My drawdown ecochallenge is going great! I take pride in my individual commitment to help save the environment. Although my contributions may seem small, I am taking steps in the right direction and hopefully, people around me can draw inspiration from my decisions.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Matt Yamin 5/30/2023 3:47 PM

The wastefulness of resources creates many problems in society. As a consumer society, many people take advantage of easily accessible resources by using only a fraction of them and then throwing them away. This process is wasteful as well as detrimental to the planet. As I have seen this multiple times, I have begun to ensure that I do my part in using every ounce of a resource such as food and water that I possibly can before throwing it away. In addition, I make sure to throw away recyclables in designated cans and throw away specific foods in compost bins properly. I also remind my peers of the correct places and ways to throw out resources to ensure they know the various ways to help save the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

Matt Yamin 5/23/2023 7:03 PM

I have begun to spend more time with nature even after practicing. Instead of going to the mall on a Saturday or watching tv with friends, I go on hikes with my dog or go to the ocean. These activities are rewarding in two ways: helping the planet and adding new experiences that can influence creativity.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use More Fruits And Veggies

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?

Matt Yamin 5/23/2023 7:01 PM

Eating fruits and vegetables can positively impact myself, people around me, and thus, the plant. Eating a balanced diet places emphasis on health over overconsumption of garbage, such as chips. Eating fruits and vegetables make me feel energized and more engaged, especially during class. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables allows me to not contribute to factory-processed foods that pollute the planet. Eating more fruits and vegetables influences the habits of people around me, making them feel more inclined to follow suit. Therefore, my habits affect not only others, but the climate as well.

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- ANNA YAKURA 5/24/2023 3:30 PM
  
  I completely agree! I love fruits and veggies, and I think it can be fun and adventurous to explore ones you don't eat as often, or follow their seasonal harvests. For example, recently the dining hall Bplate has strawberries, which is a fruit they did not have at all earlier in the quarter. Eating them now with my meals not only leaves me more energized and is a healthier option than other snacks, it leaves me with a newfound appreciation and excitement for strawberry season!
  
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- TALIA DINI 5/23/2023 11:59 PM
  
  I definitely agree with you in the sense that eating fruits and vegetables can have a tremendous positive impact on you individually as well as the planet as a whole. Not only is eating healthier foods better for your overall health, but less consumption of processed foods also decreases pollution in the environment. You mentioned an excellent point I hadn't really considered previously that eating fruits and vegetables can encourage others to do so as well. I definitely find this to be true though and believe that leading by example a great way to encourage friends to follow your lead.
  
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Matt Yamin 5/15/2023 9:17 AM

I am still receiving emails about how my donation is helping endangered species. Although I am iffy about donating towards any non-profit funds. Endangered species have a special place in my heart, where I want to help every animal survive on this planet. Hopefully my contribution goes to helping these animals and reducing our carbon footprint. This donation has made me want to start a non-profit when I have accumulated enough wealth in helping endangered species.

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- Sydney Dyer 5/15/2023 11:45 AM
  
  Hi Matt! It's so great to hear about your contribution, as endangered species also have a very special place in my heart. It's so sad how habitat loss and pollution are putting these poor animals in danger. This is something I'm very passionate about, and I want others to be aware of how harmful actions are impacting these endangered species.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation 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?

Matt Yamin 5/15/2023 9:14 AM

As I went on a long walk/hike on Saturday through the mountains north of campus, I could not help but be appalled by the constant construction. Homes are being built and rebuilt and being tweaked to add in unnecessary additions to the homes. The amount of fossil fuels that are being burned during this process upsets me. I want to find a lawyer in the neighborhood to see if he/she could implement legislation that reduces the amount of construction allowed per day or per home in these already wealthy and beautiful communities.

Read More
- Aileen Castillo 5/18/2023 10:28 AM
  
  I have seen that they are constantly reconstructing and constructing, and sometimes the changes seem unnecessary. Finding a lawyer would be a great idea and start to help this issue. Another great idea is telling the people around you and maybe start a group to fight these problems.
  
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- TALIA DINI 5/15/2023 11:55 PM
  
  I too have noticed the vast amount of construction sites in Westwood. It's crazy to think how some additions are oftentimes extremely unnecessary but simultaneously, significantly contributing to the climate crisis. I think finding a lawyer that could potentially help reduce the amount of construction is an excellent idea!
  
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Matt Yamin 5/15/2023 9:11 AM

This morning, I felt extremely fulfilled in two ways. For Mother's Day, my family and I went to visit my cousins in Northern California where they lived near a farm. Outside of the farm, there was a stand where the owners were selling fresh fruits and vegetables that were picked that day. We ended up helping this community by purchasing many fruits and vegetables. Instead of going to the local supermarket, we purchased these items and put them in a reusable bag, which made me feel happier that I was not using the numerous plastic bags like at a normal supermarket. In doing this process, I am going to remind myself to use this reusable bag when purchasing groceries instead of allowing myself to use the plastic bags given at the supermarket checkout stations. In addition, this morning, I made a beautiful fruit salad with the berries that I bought yesterday. I accomplished one of my econ challenges, which was to eat at least one vegan meal a day. I accomplished this goal by starting my day off with a healthy alternative to my normal breakfast. Therefore, I am fulfilled in two ways.

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Matt Yamin 4/26/2023 8:07 PM

Today, I signed up for an organization named, "Defenders of Wildlife." I am contributing at least $25 of my own money that I made from investing in order to help save endangered species. Although this is small action, it is a step in the right direction for me and probably something I would not have done in the past.

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- Miranda Chang 4/30/2023 8:36 AM
  
  Hi Tony, it's really cool to see you contributing to help save endangered species. A little goes a long way! Every couple months, I contribute $10 to help an organization that works to protect our oceans from pollution and plastic as well as campaigns to have more renewable energy sources. I am very glad that my donation will be able to help the group achieve their missions, which ends up benefiting us as a whole. I think it should be a lesson for everyone to pitch in a bit because if everyone were to contribute the same amount as you did, that would amount to a large contribution!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Support Women-Owned Businesses

Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. What have you done in the past to support women-owned businesses? How can you better support communities by supporting women?

Matt Yamin 4/26/2023 8:03 PM

In the past, I did not take time to help promote or encourage women-owned businesses. However, I have begun getting haircuts at Tracy Bryan's Gentleman's Salon. THe owner, Tracy, is a lovely lady who helps contribute to the Bruin community by giving haircuts to many athletes at UCLA. My appointment is scheduled
for tomorrow at 2:30 after this class and I am super excited to help support her and her business!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

Matt Yamin 4/26/2023 8:00 PM

People in richer countries eat meat because of their accessibility to it and the normalization of this habit. Even though it is most likely healthier and less damaging to the environment to eat vegan, eating meat has become ingrained in our habits. However, I have begun eating one vegan meal a day. Today, I had a salad with, all sorts of vegetables that I bought at the Brentwood market on Sunday. It was delicious. I wish I took a picture, but I did not have my phone on me at the time.

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- Isabella Eklund 4/26/2023 10:43 PM
  
  Hi Matt! You make a really good point about meat being ingrained in our habits and culture. America is definitely known for its burgers and this is well reflected in the fact that any fast food place or restaurant has a burger on the menu (not too mention the serving size for burgers here is much bigger than in other countries!). The easy access and cultural value of meat based meals makes it hard to imagine a day when more people practice vegetarian or vegan diets.
  
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