Terra Soma

Legacy Health

"To cultivate a meaningful relationship with the natural world and inspire others to care for our planet. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,013 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

66

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

240

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

120

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

315

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

44

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

14

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Terra's actions

High Impact Action Track

Ditch the Lawn

Water

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 15-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 5 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

High Impact Action Track

Research Impact Investing

Simplicity

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and deterimine if it is right for me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

High Impact Action Track

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Health

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

High Impact Action Track

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Waste

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

COMPLETED 0
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Practice Gratitude for Earth

Kathleen Dean Moore says that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation. Do you agree? How do we cultivate a sense of gratitude as individuals, and as a society?

Terra Soma 10/23/2019 2:46 PM

I don't agree with the quote. I do want to do what I can to creat a resilience eco-system but it comes more from a place of love than obligation. On creating gratitude, individuals make up a society so if we have grateful individuals we have a grateful society. In my experience it takes conscious effort to practice gratitude. Also, if I am less stressed it is easier for me to experience gratitude and appreciation.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Terra Soma 10/23/2019 2:44 PM

Fall is my favorite time of year and I love the sound/feel of leaves crunching under my feet when I walk. I can't get that while driving. I also enjoy the feeling of fresh air on my skin while walking. I am able to slow down more and enjoy the beauty while walking. Also, stopping to smell the roses!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Bringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Terra Soma 10/09/2019 11:32 AM

I have gotten better at bringing vegetable bags and grocery bags when I shop. I remember them almost every time now.

My next opportunity is to remember to bring my reusuable straws and a to-go container to restaurants.

Another big opportunity for me is the packaging for beverages that I buy. Some of them are in plastic bottles so I would like to come up with a new solution. I am not ready to avoid the beverages all together yet. I like water kefir which usually comes in a glass bottle. I have experimented with making my own which is fun, but also requires a lot of time and temperature control so I let that go for a while.

I am experimenting with wax covered cloth instead of plastic wrap. It is a little bit of a learning curve but I see a lot of potential.

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- Don Brown 10/10/2019 2:27 PM
  
  That's awesome, Terra! I've gotten into the habit of buying bulk foods whenever possible and taking my own containers to the grocery store when I shop for bulk. The clerks are usually happy to mark the tares on the containers!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

Terra Soma 10/07/2019 2:14 PM

Having water fountains made for water bottles makes a big difference. I appreciate the one in the 1120 building. I also appreciate that there is one at my climbing gym. Regarding challenges, similar to the reusable mug, remembering to bring my water bottle places is the biggest challenge. I have a carabiner on it so I can clip it to things which helps me remember.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Who is most affected by environmental degration and/or environmental irresponsiblity in your community? How are they affected?

Terra Soma 10/03/2019 1:14 PM

As is the case broadly, the most vulnerable are the most impacted. In Oregon, farm workers are impacted by pesticides and other chemicals. Kids in the industrial corridor in Eugene have higher rates of asthma.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Ditch the Lawn

What is the main water source in your region?

Terra Soma 10/03/2019 12:55 PM

Rainfall in the Bull Run watershed about 30 miles east of Portland is the primary water source. Another watershed in the area is Columbia South Shore Well Field.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Research Impact Investing

How might impact investing help you better live your values?

Terra Soma 10/02/2019 12:29 PM

I care about living in an equitable and sustainable world. Impact investing helps create that kind of world.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Terra Soma 10/02/2019 12:25 PM

The biggest challenge I find in using a reusable mug is remembering to bring it with me. I like keeping a mug at my desk. Sometimes when I take it home to wash it, I forget to bring it back. Maybe I can leave a few at my desk as backups.

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