Ecochallenge.org

2019 People's Ecochallenge

October 2 - October 23, 2019

Elaine Gamolo

WSP USA

"On the pursuit of learning and practicing how to be a better and more sustainable designer and urban dweller!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
683 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

locally sourced meal

consumed
UP TO

810

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

210

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

80

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

510

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

13

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Elaine's actions

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 10 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 30 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

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

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 45 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 20 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 10 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

High Impact Action Track

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Health

I will spend 10 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

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

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Forage for My Food

I will use the 'Learn More' resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

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

Create Your Own Action

BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE SWITCH

Beauty, fashion, and lifestyle choices can be very wasteful. my goal is to switch some of my everyday items to more sustainable ones.

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?

Elaine Gamolo 10/23/2019 1:34 PM

It was really interesting seeing my own involvement, as well as my coworkers involvement, for this Ecochallenge! I learned a lot through the daily and one-time tasks that I wouldn't have known or been conscious about before!

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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?

Elaine Gamolo 10/23/2019 1:26 PM

From my understanding, those most affected by environmental degradation in my surrounding community are those that live near by waterways, industrial neighborhoods, or major highways. Living in Jersey City, we are surrounded by both the Passaic and Hudson River. The river, as well as the bays/ports are not exactly clean. The industrial areas that also sit along the water contribute to the degradation of the local environment through the pollution of the area and waterways.

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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?

Elaine Gamolo 10/23/2019 1:14 PM

I learned that many companies and categories of items can be recycled, as long as the proper boxes and things are put together. I didn't know I could recycle my contact lenses, corks, party supplies, razors, etc. There really is a place / stream for a lot of everyday and not-everyday products.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Forage for My Food

People are motivated to forage for many different reasons: as a source for food, a means of income, to connect with nature, to participate in cultural tradition, transmitting specific ecological knowledge, or as a means of stewarding local and native plant populations. What is your chief motivation for foraging?

Elaine Gamolo 10/23/2019 1:07 PM

My chief motivation for foraging is to connect with nature. Foraging allows me to better understand my immediate environment and what kind of food/plants naturally grow in my area, or state. Rather than buy produce or plants in a grocery store, where the plants could have traveled hundreds and hundreds of miles, foraging allows me to understand and value local nature.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Support Pollution Reduction

What environmental factors affect human health in your region, and how do they affect it?

Elaine Gamolo 10/22/2019 5:24 AM

One environmental factor in my area is bad air quality, which has negative effects on human health. Because I live in the bustling tri-state area, the polluted air from the cities can cause respiratory issues for everyone. Whether it's suffering from short term coughing or sneezing, or long-term respiratory illnesses (asthma and the like), bad air makes it much more difficult to breathe and live in our surroundings. While cities can be great, it's important to consider how we can cut down on our pollutants, as well as take a break and immerse ourselves in a cleaner, fresher environment (going to a park, hiking, etc).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy From a Farmers Market

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

Elaine Gamolo 10/22/2019 5:06 AM

My sister has gotten me more conscious of the type of food I eat, specifically meat and animal byproducts. While I'm in no way vegan or vegetarian, I'll be mindful and consider vegetarian options and have things like "Meatless Mondays" or the sort. Additionally, I don't eat that much beef.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Healthy Sleep

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?

Elaine Gamolo 10/21/2019 2:13 PM

I wish I was better at being a morning person. When I get up earlier, I can get more things done in the daylight. To be successful in this action, I try to limit my screen time in the evening so i can fall asleep faster. I also try to prep my day the evening before, so I can have a smoother morning.

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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?

Elaine Gamolo 10/18/2019 1:23 PM

I have a handful of reusable bags that I always have ready in my kitchen for when I need to do some grocery shopping. I also try to remember an additional tote bag in my purse for when I go out, in case I decide to buy something and I always leave the house with my reusable water bottle! I wish I was better about produce bags and buying other things in bulk.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Less Screen Time

What did you notice in implementing this challenge? Was it hard to choose other activities over screen time? How did you decide to spend your time?

Elaine Gamolo 10/18/2019 1:21 PM

At first, I was really inclined to grab my phone or laptop to entertain myself. I realized that I could be spending my time being more productive and getting other tasks done. Sometimes this meant doing chores or assignments I had been holding off on or organizing my belongings and calendar/schedule. There were days where I decided I wanted to enjoy some personal time doing arts and crafts and there were days where I decided to sit on my rooftop in peace.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Support Local Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Elaine Gamolo 10/14/2019 2:33 PM

It's important to take care of pollinators because they essentially maintain the environments and ecosystems that many creatures rely on. Many of the world's crops are pollinated, so without pollinators, crop production would begin to cease and have a huge environmental impact. It's not just bees that pollinate, but birds, bugs, and even small animals!

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