Meghan Jones
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 890 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO205minutesspent learning
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UP TO12milestraveled by bus
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UP TO390minutesspent exercising
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UP TO130minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO587pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO12milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO7.0conversationswith people
Meghan's actions
Food
Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.
Transportation
Use Public Transit
I will use public transit 12 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 5.47 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Community
Talk To My Friends and Colleagues
I will research the social or environmental issues in my community that matter to me and tell 1 friends and/or colleagues each day about what I learn.
Transportation
Choose a Carbon Offset
If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.
Health
Exercise Daily
Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Nature
Tend a Garden
I will tend to a garden each day, or work on starting one.
Community
Support Native Communities
I will use the resource links provided and spend 30 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.
Health
Learn More about Food Deserts
I will spend 30 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONHigh Impact Action Track Research Impact InvestingHow might impact investing help you better live your values?
Meghan Jones 10/22/2019 7:52 PMVote with your wallet! Impact investing can help me feel sure that my money is going to places that I want it to go and toward causes I want to support. Making the switch is daunting, but I'm interested to keep learning more. -
Meghan Jones 10/22/2019 7:30 AMThe action of learning about pollinators led me to some great Tedx Talks about prairies (links below). What jumped out at me most was that prairie restoration efforts in the Midwest can improve water quality as far away as the Gulf of Mexico. As a new Midwest resident who grew up on the Gulf Coast, I am excited to participate in these efforts that help my current town and my hometown at the same time!
The Incredible World of Native Prairies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E87LW85MxqA
Why Prairie Matters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl5wzHjzvMk -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Learn About & Practice Sustainable FashionHow can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 10:35 AMI've never been much of a shopper or fashionista, so in general I prefer to express my personality and values through how I interact with people. Some other methods of sustainable self-expression could include wearing used clothing and minimizing the use of cosmetics. Several years ago I cut my hair short, which reflects my personal style while saving on shampoo, water, electricity, and time! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Go PaperlessReducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 10:25 AMReducing paper mail feels great because I know I'm reducing trees and clutter. The trick is figuring out how people get your addresses! No matter how many times I unsubscribe from catalogs, etc., more companies seem to find me. I welcome any suggestions for avoiding unwanted mail. My next step in reducing waste is increasing my supply of containers available to hold bulk products, which will cut down on food packaging.-
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 11:56 AMHaha, I meant reducing *removal of* trees!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Choose a Carbon OffsetA round-trip flight from New York City to Los Angeles emits just over 1.5 tons of CO2—per person. That’s a lot of carbon! What can you do to reduce the number of flights you take per year?
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 10:23 AMWe are reducing the number of flights we take per year by hosting holiday celebrations for the first time. This year, everyone will be able to drive to our place, whereas in the past my sister and I have flown long distances to enjoy family gatherings. For other regional trips, I will look first for opportunities to go by train or carpool. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Support Local PollinatorsWhy is it important to take care of pollinators?
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 10:21 AMPollinators support the natural rhythms of the ecosystem. We wouldn't have fruits and vegetables without them! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHigh Impact Action Track Learn About Local Environmental Justice ConcernsWho is most affected by environmental degration and/or environmental irresponsiblity in your community? How are they affected?
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 10:20 AMMany Illinois communities are dealing with contaminated water supplies due to irresponsible agricultural practices. Closer to home, air quality can be an issue due a nearby fire department training facility. This one is tricky, because fire fighters need training in order to save lives. Perhaps a solution could be to relocate the training facility to a more remote area where communities (especially environmental justice populations) are not disproportionately affected by the smoke. -
Meghan Jones 10/21/2019 8:52 AMAfter receiving some inspiration from fellow Ecochallenge participants, I went running yesterday for the first time in years. Loved being out in the fall weather and getting some exercise with my husband and dog. Thank you all for helping me to be healthier. :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Use Public TransitThe US spends roughly 20% of its federal budget on defense. In contrast, 2% goes to education, 20% goes to social security and 3% goes to transportation infrastructure. Do these numbers surprise you at all? Why or why not? How would you adjust them if you could?
Meghan Jones 10/18/2019 8:32 AMI would allot a greater percentage to education and transportation. A strong educational system promotes understanding and creative thinking, which helps develop leaders who will seek peaceful solutions to conflicts. My hope is that investment in education now will reduce spending on defense later. Transportation runs hand-in-hand with education, as people of all ages need a safe and reliable way to access schools. -
Meghan Jones 10/18/2019 8:23 AMThanks to Julie Sinistore for a great webinar on plastics yesterday! I was shocked to learn about microplastics, tiny fragments that pollute the ocean and get ingested by marine life. One of the ways these get released is by washing fabrics that include synthetic fibers. I will now be more careful about choosing my clothing materials and washing them only when necessary!