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Welcome to 2019 People's Ecochallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an 2019 People's Ecochallenge expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
2019 People's Ecochallenge
October 2 - October 23, 2019
Margaret McSweeny's avatar

Margaret McSweeny

Our Sisters' School

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 181 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    0.0
    whole food meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    0.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    0.0
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    0.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Margaret's actions

Food

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy meatless meal(s) and/or vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED -1
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Michael Pollan states that “it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor.” What are your thoughts on this idea?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:38 AM
    On Sundays, I cook vegetables, rice and other unprocessed food for my weekly lunches. Our bodies are our temples and we need to be good to them by not eating too much processed foods. Many processed foods are linked to cancer and the more fruits and veggies we eat the better. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:36 AM
    I have an herb garden at home and have had one for multiple years. In the fall, I harvest the herbs and blend them in my blender with olive oil and freeze them in ice cubes trays and save them to pop into soups and other meals in the winter. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:33 AM
    I have been an ethical pescatarian for 17 years. I believe this is important to the planet - to make food choices that are sustainable. Therefore, although I enjoy tuna and cod, I do not eat them anymore. I stick to more sustainable fish, those that can keep up with the demand. It is not easy doing this. I often have to ask questions when at restaurants and sometimes my refusal to eat certain things comes off as being rude. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:30 AM
    I have been a ethical pescatarian for 17 years and have at least 5 meatless meals a week. Eating more meat leads to improper/wasteful land use, more methane gas in the atmosphere, etc. Meat is expensive and you can get many of the vitamins and minerals you need from iron rich and protein rich plants, such as beans and leafy greens.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste
    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?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:22 AM
    I have been using a reusable water bottle for a very long time. I wish that there were more public places to refill the water bottle, like there are in certain cities in Europe. I think if I kept an extra reusable water bottle in my car, that would help limit the times I don't have water when I want it. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?
    Margaret McSweeny's avatar
    Margaret McSweeny 10/02/2019 10:21 AM
    I went to Round the Bend Farm last weekend and learned about sustainable farming, buying local, etc. I definitely thinking knowing where your food comes from is important. 
    Read More