The People's Ecochallenge 2024

October 1 - October 31, 2024

Audrey Pulliam

"I am committed to making this Earth a better place for me, my peers, the animals around me, and those to come after us. I commit to not only learning about ways to be more economically friendly, but to actually take action after learning, "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
670 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

97

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

192

miles

traveled by foot
UP TO

192

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

4.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

266

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

154

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

186

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

120

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

45

minutes

spent learning

Audrey's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Support Native Communities

I will use the resource links provided and spend 15 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Sign Up to Vote

I will make sure I’m registered to vote. While I’m at it, I’ll sign up to help others register too!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn About Constructive Communication

I will spend 15 minutes learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Calculate the Carbon Footprint of my Household

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will shop at a farmers market or food co-op to support local farmers and businesses. By doing so, I may be able to learn more about who produces the food I eat and goods I buy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn It Off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 15 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Plant Trees

I will plant 1 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Find / Join A Sharing Economy

I will research tool libraries and other sharing economy organizations in my area and rent instead of buy next time I need something they offer.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottles from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 4 miles each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Calculate My Digital Carbon Footprint

I will calculate my digital carbon footprint and take steps to reduce my CO2 emissions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Share My Why

I will share my Ecochallenge story and why I'm taking action for the planet.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:59 PM
Wow. We should do this every single month. I've never walked more in my life. The other day I walked 8 miles just so I could buy a fresh Butternut Squash from the farmers market (and it was sooooo worth it). Because of this challenge I started a habit of waking up early every morning to walk around my city. It started with a goal of winning the challenge, but it's grown to be so much more than that. I have really be stunned at the impact I have on the environment, and what I was doing that was so easily changeable. I plan to continue my efforts well after this challenge, and make sustainability a habit and not a company contest.

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- Jeanne Poirier 10/31/2024 7:19 PM
  See you in another next challenge - they are always inspiring and teach me so much! The value of touching base with like minded community is beyond inspiring!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:55 PM
When you're driving (and you're actually doing what you're supposed to do) you're worried about the cars around you, and not as much the view. When you step out of the car and walk around the street of your city, the trail by your house, etc. you are able to be in the moment and really see things you've never seen before. I find that when I do this I also get a better understanding of where I live because I'm not rushing to get through the next stoplight. I'm actually looking around, taking it in. The more I explore my city, the better understanding I have of where I'm at in any given moment. It's been the best way for me to understand the cities geography.

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- Olena Sytar 10/31/2024 5:42 PM
  Great point - that's why I love to go hiking. It's the best way for me to connect with nature.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:53 PM
Although I wasn't able to plant a tree this year, because of where I live, I do love gardening and plants. Trees are good for your overall health because it's an activity that can lower your blood pressure, and reduce stress. For me, repotting my plants gives me a moment to get my hands dirty, let go of outside noice, and breathe.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:51 PM
I think the biggest one that I make is choosing to note eat meat or eggs anymore. If you want to eat meat or eggs, I urge you do it as sustainably and ethically as possible, and go to a farmers market. If you enjoy honey, find a brand that sources their honey from a local bee hive.
LOCAL is best.

There are other small choices you can make that do more good than harm. If you are buying lettuce at the grocery store, buy the bunch that it the produce department, and cut it up at home, rather than the big plastic tub that's already pre-cut. By choosing as many items as you can that have little packaging, you are doing more good than harm.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

Why is voting important to creating a just, sustainable, and thriving world? In what other ways can you actively participate in important decision-making?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:48 PM
When you vote, you're voting for the bills that are passed and the people that elected for years to come. Those people, and their stance on climate change makes a huge difference as to what gets done. It's important that before voting, you educate yourself on the policys and people that are on the ballot. You want them to align with your beliefs. You can actively participate in important decision making outside of elections by educating others, supporting causes that align with your beliefs, and speaking out about what's important to you.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:44 PM
The biggest ones I can think of is the agriculture run-off from pesticides and untreated human waste. The biggest difference I can make is to dispose of things like trash and recycling correctly, and make sure I'm aware of where it's all going. Another thing everyone can do no matter where they live is plant more local plants.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy

How is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Audrey Pulliam 10/31/2024 1:41 PM
As of 2022, Illinois generates 53.38% of electricity from nuclear power, 32.89% from fossil fuels (comprising of coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases), and 13.73% from renewables (comprising of wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass).

After reading more about the different ways to generate power, I am frustrated that as someone that rents I dont have a say in how my power is generated. In a large city, like Chicago, it's something that's not talked about enough. I dont think we utilize our natural resources enough. Our current energy source is producing radioactive waste which is very dangerous to the environment and humans.

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- Jeanne Poirier 10/31/2024 7:25 PM
  Yes indeed - may the reverse happen! I live not far from Hanford - which is a horrid nuclear wasteland and takes billions of dollars to do not much to alleviate the trickling waste to Columbia River. Go renewables!!
  
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Audrey Pulliam 10/30/2024 7:19 AM
This past weekend I checked out a Zero Waste store and all I could think was "I just bought that in a giant plastic tub". Luckily I only live a few blocks from this store, so I will be using it more often. I have really been reflecting on my impact after the quizI took. I don't know if I can get down to 1 planet, but maybe I can get my impact lower than 5.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy

After you determined your carbon footprint, did you see what different choices you can make in order to reduce it?
Audrey Pulliam 10/25/2024 12:39 PM
I took the quiz and it said we would need multiple earths if everyone lived like me. This has been very eye opening. I will be taking more steps to reduce my impact and buy more local, use less, and thrift more.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Does this statistic describe your own transportation habits? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?
Audrey Pulliam 10/10/2024 9:30 AM
Before living in a walkable city, I drove everywhere because of
1) Convenience
2) Safety

I now only take my car places when I physically can't walk to my destination. An example of this is large grocery trips. When I buy groceries that are too heavy to carry, I drive. I try and avoid these trips by buying groceries frequently, rather than all at once.

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