Create more environmental + social good. Join the People's Ecochallenge!

2019 People's Ecochallenge

October 2 - October 23, 2019

WildEarth Guardians Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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?

Caitlin M. 10/24/2019 10:08 AM

I learned that there's always room to grow. I think each step we take to make our lives more sustainable is a positive move in the right direction. It's ok to fail (as I definitely did with my daily walks) and I'll continue trying new things to see what fits with my life.

I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't go back and mark my last few days' actions complete once the challenge ended yesterday. I'm not sure why the EchoChallenge site closed down the check-ins and you can't retroactively check-in, like you could while the challenge was active. So I missed about 3 or 4 days worth of points. Oh well!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Recycle Everything I Can

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

Caitlin M. 10/24/2019 10:05 AM

Portland has an issue of "wishful recycling." Doing research into what can and can't go into the blue bin makes a big difference. It's been a challenge to find places for some recycling and it's tough to just throw something away. However, I know it's better to toss it in the trash, rather than "contaminate" a bin of recycling.

Read More
Sarah McMillan 10/23/2019 11:25 AM

This felt good! It was partly a pat on the back for what I already do, but also a heightened awareness of what more I can do.

Read More
Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 10:05 PM

My winter CSA starts tomorrow and I'm pretty excited to start getting a weekly big delivery of fresh local veg this time of year.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Compost Food Waste

New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 10:02 PM

This one is hard for me, b/c I live in a place where bears are, and they are currently in their hyperphagia phase. So I have to take my compost up to my dad's house, where he has an electric fence to keep the bears out. On my walk to work, I've been walking down alleys where bears have gotten into trash cans, and left big piles of what looks like chunky applesauce behind.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Zero-Waste Cooking

In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for utilizing every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable, including the skins, tops, and stalks during your next meal prep?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 10:00 PM

I've always been frugal. One thing I do is freeze tops, tips, roots, skins of onions, carrots, celery, etc. to make vegetable broth once I have enough saved up. I always use pretty much every part of the vegetable.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Spend Time Outside

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 9:58 PM

Absolutely true for me. I only know what I can do- continue getting outdoors, and encouraging others to do so as well.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Upgrade Heating & Cooling Units

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 9:57 PM

This was awfully good timing- just as I needed to replace my furnace. And it encouraged me to get high efficiency furnace. I'm also installing more solar panels to move further off oil and gas.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 9:56 PM

I wonder if I should unplug more while working on the computer, to run down the battery, rather than keeping it plugged in while working.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Sarah McMillan 10/21/2019 9:55 PM

Helping others see that their work is appreciated helps everybody stay engaged.

Read More
- Sharon Anthony 10/21/2019 10:34 PM
  
  Appreciation in the context itself is like strength to the bones because it helps boost your morale especially during this day and age.
  
  Read More