Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge 2024

India Vrable

Asheville High School Spring 2024!

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
611 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

16

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

140

miles

traveled by carpool
UP TO

27

miles

traveled by bike
UP TO

140

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

1,003

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

193

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

30

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

236

minutes

spent learning

India's actions

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

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

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

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

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

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 6
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

Transportation

Go by Bike

Bicycle Infrastructure

I will commute by bike 5 miles each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Family Planning and Education

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Try Carpooling

Carpooling

I will commute by carpool 30 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 20 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?
India Vrable 5/24/2024 7:03 AM
We can add more green places like parks, walkways, and clean up more, and green roofs. This will make Ashville more desirable and have higher income. It is also good for extra water and runoff.

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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?
India Vrable 5/17/2024 8:03 AM
Some barriers that exist for women are that they get their education taken away once they start menstruating. This is because of religious reasons for not being able to go out in public when menstruating. This is the time when women are forced to get married and have children. They have to go through a lot of things that aren't sanitary and are unhealthy. In my community I haven’t even noticed this happening. I think that it happens in other countries and mostly for religious reasons that are not as common in my community.

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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?
India Vrable 5/15/2024 8:05 AM
Family planning is important because overproduction can lead to too many kids that the parents can not afford which leads to poverty. Also family planning is a way to not increase the amount of resources and space we need. The needs of different families compare because some families don’t have enough space, money and education to raise kids or make the right choices.

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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?
India Vrable 5/14/2024 7:39 AM
You can support places that support geothermal energy. Also supporting places that install and make products for geothermal. You can also make other people in your town and city know more about geothermal so more people start using it.

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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?
India Vrable 5/13/2024 7:30 AM
Microwind turbines could be placed in neighborhoods and in places like downtown. All the shops and restaurants are probably using so much electricity that it would be very helpful to shift to using microwind. There is plenty of space to install the turbines.

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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!
India Vrable 5/09/2024 8:03 AM
No, I have never heard of biomass technology. I think that this is really cool. Scientists have found a way to balance carbon, the biomass will take carbon already in the air and put it back into plants for energy and power.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
India Vrable 5/03/2024 7:53 AM
I have a forest and the French Broad river right outside my house and I never go down there and now that I have gone I will do it all the time. It was so pretty and calming. But the river was very brown.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
India Vrable 5/03/2024 7:30 AM
Most of Indonesia’s peatlands have been burned emitting carbon into the air. This can be prevented by spreading the word about this so more people can protest and stop using the palm oil and paper.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation

List some of the places you frequent often (work, grocery store, natural areas). Could you choose one or two days a week to schedule driving with a friend, neighbor or co-worker to these places?
India Vrable 5/01/2024 9:32 AM
To after school sports we are able to carpool but we have been doing that anyways. Driving to and from school with people in your neighborhood or on the way is another good idea.

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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?
India Vrable 5/01/2024 9:29 AM
I think that having side walks added to our street would be helpful because it would be more safe. I really enjoy going on walks because now it is getting warm so the breeze and sun feels so good and refreshing. I have noticed that a lot of other houses in our neighborhood are getting renewed. Last year I always did this walk when it was warm and now that I am doing it again so much has changed.

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