Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge 2024

Anne Hyland

Asheville High School Spring 2024!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
511 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

14

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

4.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

98

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

45

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

65

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

500

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

265

minutes

spent learning

Anne's actions

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

Reduced Food Waste

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Visit the Coast

Macroalgae Protection and Restoration

I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Telepresence, High-Speed Rail

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research Local Waste and Recycling Depots

To learn more about what is and is not recyclable in our area as well as how to properly dispose of hard to recycle materials to reduce my harmful impacts on the local environment AND learn how indigenous peoples and POC are more likely to be impacted by waste sites and pollution on a global scale.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 15 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-Waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meals with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?
Anne Hyland 5/24/2024 7:28 AM
In our city we can make sure that no matter where it is or who lives there, green spaces will be in and around all neighborhoods. So people in rich neighborhoods will have the same green areas and good air quality as people in low income neighborhoods.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
Anne Hyland 5/17/2024 8:11 AM
Women face many barriers globally and locally. For example it can be hard for women in some work environments because we may not fit the standards that were set in place by the men. Another example is more globally related since it happens all over, but the pay gap is a huge problem/barrier that women face everyday. Women doing the same job, if not more, will get paid less than men simply because of gender inequality.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Anne Hyland 5/16/2024 8:02 AM
1. I learned that family planning is an essencial part of reproductive health specifically for women. Family planning helps couples make informed decisions about having children like the number and spacing. Family planning can also reduce poverty because when parents are able to plan for their families they can make sure they have the money and resources to sustain a child/children. 2. A big factor in how different people in different places differ from each other is economically. Going along with family planning, some places in poorer countries have less access to what they need to be able to properly plan for their future/family. Compared to people in richer countries who have more access to the education and healthcare needed to make these informed decisions.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Geothermal energy is reliable, abundant, and efficient. Project Drawdown states that public investment will play a crucial role in its expansion. In what ways (i.e. with money, time, advocacy) can you invest in geothermal energy?
Anne Hyland 5/14/2024 7:57 AM
Ways you can invest into geothermal energy is by supporting companies that design and install geothermal energy products and investing from your home.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Micro turbines can be placed on large structures to take advantage of stronger, steadier breezes. The Eiffel Tower now sports vertical axis turbines that produce electricity for use on site. Where could micro turbines potentially be installed in your city?
Anne Hyland 5/13/2024 7:02 AM
I think that micro turbines could maybe be placed on top of some of the large hotels downtown. Some of them are really tall and they probably take up a lot of energy. The Arras hotel is the tallest building in Asheville so that could potentially be a good place to put a micro turbine.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Anne Hyland 5/13/2024 6:34 AM
I love walking so I have enjoyed getting outside and being active. I just walk around my neighborhood and my friends neighborhood and I haven't noticed any infrastructure that are really a problem other than some houses that are too big or don't fit in.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity

Had you ever heard of biomass technology before you took this challenge? What did you learn that surprised you? Share your new knowledge with your friends!
Anne Hyland 5/09/2024 8:11 AM
I had heard of biomass before this but I never really knew what it was or how it works. I learned that more things than I thought can produce energy. I also learned that biomass is better than nonrenewable resources but it’s still not perfect.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

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?
Anne Hyland 5/09/2024 7:05 AM
In order to incorporate an entire vegetable in a meal I could research recipes that include all parts to reduce waste.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Anne Hyland 5/07/2024 7:10 AM
I typically eat with my phone when I'm alone but when I'm eating with someone I tend to eat more mindfully. I think that the main difference is that you're focusing a little more on the food that you are eating when you practice mindfulness.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

What coastal site did you visit and what did you learn while there?
Anne Hyland 5/07/2024 7:05 AM
I visited Southeastern coastal North Carolina (Carolina beach). While I was there I looked at algae on rocks and I learned a little about Sandpipers and their ecosystems.

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