Skip to main content
October 2 - October 23, 2019
Zach Stevens's avatar

Zach Stevens

WSP USA

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 698 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    464
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    315
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    115
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    110
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    15
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    2.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted

Zach's actions

Community

Express My Support

I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio

I will find out what stocks and bonds are in my investment account portfolio to determine if they align with my values (e.g. environmental, social responsibility, community).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 20 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 10 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 20 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 45 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 15 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will spend at least 10 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

High Impact Action Track

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Health

I will spend 15 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

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?


  • Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/23/2019 4:01 PM
    Here's a good list of natural cleaning products and where to find them!

    http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-natural-organic-cleaning-products.html
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Express My Support
    What sustainability issues are most pressing or prominent where you live?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/10/2019 12:38 PM
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water 5-Minute Showers
    Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/07/2019 12:02 PM
    I have devised a system for maximum shower efficiency with my new instantaneous hot water heater. I will avoid details for everyone's sake, but am happy with the results...
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste 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?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/04/2019 4:19 PM
    Check out the app 'Good On You' for ratings of clothing companies etc. Emma Watson support sit, so you know its legit.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
    How do you think climate change will affect your region’s water supply? Think about the effects of weather, storms, salinity, and sea level rise, among other changes. How can you find out more about climate change’s impact to your region's water?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/03/2019 3:49 PM
    Not quite 100% aligned with this description but close enough. I recently had my water tank fail and replaced it with an instantaneous water heater. The advantage here is no standby loses from trying to keep a large tank at 140 degrees. It only turns on when there is a call for hot water. Apparently there can be a 40% savings in energy. Will report back next year with more data :-)

    • Zach Stevens's avatar
      Zach Stevens 10/14/2019 6:12 PM
      Nice Meghan! Just note that you dont want to turn it down too far (keep it above say 125F) because at low temperatures there's an off chance you can still have bacteria grow.

    • Meghan Jones's avatar
      Meghan Jones 10/04/2019 7:30 AM
      I turned down the temperature on my water heater last night because of this post. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • Meghan Jones's avatar
      Meghan Jones 10/03/2019 5:41 PM
      That is awesome!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Meditate
    What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/02/2019 4:59 PM
    Normally I'm a bit self conscious to meditate during the work day, beyond a 60 second micro-meditation at my desk. But when I found myself getting frustrated at a failed simulation I decided to lock myself in a huddle room and do my full 10 min meditation. Definitely helped me refocus and lose the frustration baggage I was accumulating. Would recommend!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Find Local Recycling Depots
    Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?

    Zach Stevens's avatar
    Zach Stevens 10/02/2019 9:43 AM
    I found out there's a battery recycling location right on my bus route!