Lauren Groves
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,791 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO840conversationswith people
-
UP TO0.0disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO822gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO10hoursvolunteered
-
UP TO14letters or emailssent to public officials or leaders
-
UP TO10lightbulbsreplaced
-
UP TO16locally sourced mealsconsumed
-
UP TO30meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
-
UP TO0.0milestraveled by foot
-
UP TO900minutesof additional sleep
-
UP TO420minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO6,540minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO900minutesnot spent in front of a screen
-
UP TO14neighborsmet
-
UP TO45organic mealsconsumed
-
UP TO14outdoor mealsconsumed
-
UP TO14peoplehelped
-
UP TO14phone callsmade to public officials or leaders
-
UP TO36,120plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO10poundswaste composted
-
UP TO16pounds of CO2have been saved
-
UP TO3.2pounds of paperhave been saved
-
UP TO45zero-waste mealsconsumed
Lauren's actions
Energy
Adjust the Thermostat
I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.
Energy
Install Alternative Energy
I will install alternative energy systems, e.g., solar electric systems or solar water heaters.
Simplicity
Work-Life Balance
I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.
Waste
Buy Food and Water Only
I will not purchase anything but food and water.
Waste
Lobby for Reusables
I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Food
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Simplicity
Have a Garage Sale
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Nature
Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
Water
Use Reusable Bottles
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2400 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Waste
Use Reusable Containers
I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.
Simplicity
Disconnect from Email
I will disconnect from my email when not at work.
Energy
Online Energy Audit
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 0 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.
Nature
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a 15-minute walk outside each day.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 8 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.
Simplicity
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Nature
Leave No Trace
I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.
Simplicity
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a walk each day.
Simplicity
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Nature
Have Meetings Outside
I will schedule 60 minute(s) of work meetings or phone calls outside each day.
Food
Advocate for more Food Options
I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.
Simplicity
De-Clutter my Home
I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.
Health
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.
Health
Audit Toxic Products In My Home
I will research toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.
Community
Meet my Neighbors
I will meet 1 new neighbor(s) per day.
Food
Zero-Waste Cooking
I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero waste each day.
Community
Sign a Petition
I will sign a petition in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.
Nature
Practice Gratitude for Earth
I will spend 30 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.
Waste
Set up Recycling
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.
Food
Visit a Local Farm
I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.
Simplicity
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.
Waste
Recycle all Recyclable Materials
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 300 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Waste
Personal Waste Audit
I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.
Health
Healthy Sleep
I will commit to getting 60 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Waste
Compost Food Waste
I will avoid sending .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 3 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will learn about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Energy
Switch to Cold Water
I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.
Waste
Avoid Disposables
I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.
Energy
Power Down the Computer
I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 per day that I do this.
Simplicity
Track my Purchases
I will maintain a record of all my purchases.
Simplicity
Less Screen Time
I will replace 60 minute(s) of screen time per day with other activities.
Nature
Eat Meals Outside
I will eat 1 meal(s) outside each day.
Health
Avoid Refined Sugar
I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.
Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Waste
Choose Two-Sided Printing
I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided at work.
Transportation
Work from Home
I will work from home 7 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
Simplicity
Limit Social Media
I will limit my social media use to once per day.
Nature
Tend a Garden
I will tend to a garden each day, or work on starting one.
Water
Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.
Community
Talk to my Friends
I will decide which social or environmental issue in my community is most important to me and tell 60 friends per day about the issue.
Waste
Become a Master Recyler/Composter
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Health
More Fruits And Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Waste
Start Composting
I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.
Water
Ditch the Lawn
I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save water, money, and time cutting the grass.
Energy
Disable Screen Savers
I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.
Community
Share my Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible with a lawn sign or bumper sticker, or by posting to my social media networks.
Food
Eat Meatless Meals
I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) per day.
Water
Brush My Teeth Without Running Water
I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.
Nature
Do Nature Activities
I will engage in nature-based activities with my kid(s) for 60 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)
Waste
Buy in Bulk
I will only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.
Waste
Needs vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
Community
Write Letters
I will write 1 letter(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate for planet-friendly policies or something else I believe in.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Food
Buy from a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Transportation
Just Drive Less
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
Food
Whole Food Diet
I will enjoy 3 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.
Food
Say No to Seafood
I will not eat seafood.
Health
Exercise Daily
I will exercise daily for 30 minute(s) per day for two weeks.
Transportation
Advocate for Greener Vehicles
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
Water
Install a Toilet Tank Bank
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day.
Nature
Join an Outdoor Project
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.
Energy
Upgrade Heating & Cooling Units
I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
Community
Host a House Party
I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an issue that matters to me.
Community
Raise Money for a Nonprofit
I will raise money to support Northwest Earth Institute or another nonprofit.
Food
100-Mile Diet
I'm up for a serious challenge! I will only eat food that has been raised and cultivated within a hundred-mile radius of where I live.
Health
Go Get a Check Up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Energy
Use an Energy Meter
I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.
Water
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Water
Install Greywater Catchment
I will install a greywater catchment system in my home.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Nature
Explore my Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Health
Know My Health
I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).
Health
Join A Quit-Smoking Program
I will join a smoking cessation program and post my daily progress on my EcoChallenge feed.
Waste
Visit a Waste Management Facility
I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.
Transportation
Car Share
I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.
Nature
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Reconnecting with Earth', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Community
Join my Neighborhood Association
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 10 hour(s) in my community.
Nature
Keep a Nature Journal
I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.
Community
Pick up the Phone
I will make 1 phone call(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate community or planet-friendly policies.
Energy
Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle
Research or test drive an electric car or bike.
Community
Help Others
I will offer to help 1 person(s) who are in need each day.
Food
Cook New Recipes
I will cook a new recipe every day that features organic and/or local ingredients.
Water
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.
Community
Connect with a Nonprofit
I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Health
Take Control
Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.
Water
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.
Simplicity
Organize a Course
I will organize NWEI's discussion course 'Voluntary Simplicity' with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Community
Express my Support
I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.
Food
Locally-Sourced Meals
I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local producers.
Health
Happiness
I will write down three things every day for two weeks that I am grateful for or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.
Energy
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Powering a Bright Future', with family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Energy
Heat and Cool Naturally
I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.
Transportation
Walk Instead
I will walk 0 mile(s) per day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 0.0 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Energy
Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
Food
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses on food sustainability, 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Food
Join a Local CSA
I will sign up for a local CSA (consumer-supported agriculture).
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.
Create Your Own Action
NON-GMO
Make an effort everyday to elimate any GMO products still around the house. Not just food, but those found in cleaners, detergents, and even cosmetics.
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?
-
Lauren Groves 10/24/2016 5:01 PMDoing my best today, think it will be first day I will miss a few of my daily challenges, but I'm sick so that's OK. Naps are important.-
Lauren Groves 10/27/2016 6:08 AMthanks Paul! That made me laugh...I needed a good laugh! -
Paul Ventura 10/25/2016 3:35 PMToo bad naps aren't an action for the Eco-Challenge. Sleeping likely emits less CO2 than using your computer! In fact, TreeHugger had a post a few years ago (2010) on "What's the Carbon Footprint of Sleep?"
http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/whats-the-carbon-footprint-of-sleep.html
The author quotes someone writing in 2006 that "The 5 per cent of Britons who regularly grab less than five hours sleep utilise 16 per cent more electricity, 9 per cent more gas and consume and burn over 1.5g more fat in each 24 hours than the 6 per cent of Britons getting over nine hours in the land of nod."
In any case, enjoy your rest and recovery. You deserve it!
-
-
Lauren Groves 10/22/2016 5:19 PMI've completed most of my one-time challenges! One more to go....It will have to wait a few days though -
Lauren Groves 10/19/2016 7:48 AMI have been working for years to make changes like this in my life. I can complete most all of the challenges easily because it is how I live every day. But there are a few challenges that I cannot complete at this time, so this has given me some new goals to work towards! -
Lauren Groves 10/19/2016 7:41 AMI have many hobbies I enjoy doing, one of them being glass work. I made 6 mason jar style mug with each family members name permanently etched into the side of the glass. The kids are now drinking a lot more water with their personalised glass mugs. They love them and they love filling them up from our water filter. No more plastic bottles in this house...ever!-
Paul Ventura 10/19/2016 8:44 AMWhat a neat, inspiring idea: it hatches two birds with one egg! You avoid plastic bottles and encouraging drinking more water!
-
-
Lauren Groves 10/18/2016 6:29 AMGood morning all! How is the challenge going for you?-
Paul Ventura 10/18/2016 9:47 AMI'm doing well with my daily challenges. I'm hoping to buy the remaining LED bulbs I need this weekend to replace the CFLs in my light fixtures at home.
-
-
Lauren Groves 10/17/2016 5:04 PMIn our rural area, a regular garage or yard sale would be nearly impossible to hold, so our family is completing the challenge by holding an online sale through eBay, Mercari, and Amazon.-
Paul Ventura 10/18/2016 9:45 AMI think this is a super idea, too, Lauren! Good luck with the sale! -
Nancy Pitzer 10/17/2016 5:26 PMWhat a great idea!
-
-
Lauren Groves 10/17/2016 4:02 PMSome thoughts and reflections on today: we are a family of six. It is utterly amazing how many things can work their way into your house. We are also a homeschooling family. There are so many books in this household! Today I began sorting books out. Some are going to be donated and others sold. Amazingly, I only listed 10 for sale so far and have sold 3 of them! This will definitely help our family save some money towards our goals and help simplify our home and lives. -
Lauren Groves 10/17/2016 6:39 AMMorning check in! Love this challenge! I do wish it ran for a bit longer though. I think it would have a more lasting impact for some if it was a minimum of 3 weeks. It takes about 21 days of consistently doing something new for a human to develop a lasting new habit.-
Paul Ventura 10/17/2016 9:14 AMI appreciate your point, Lauren. Though the Eco-Challenge is only two weeks, it's intended to get us into a routine which can last a lifetime. Think of it as the stretching you do before a long workout!
-
-
Lauren Groves 10/16/2016 9:29 PMI threw out every last cosmetic I own. So did my teenage daughter. We spent an hour trying to search for the ingredients and msds on them on our phones and found some disgusting, toxic, and even GMO products in them. We rarely wear makeup anyway...but now we are going to search for better choices. If I'm going to wear it for a special occasions I might as well make sure that it is special itself! -
Lauren Groves 10/15/2016 9:20 AMI am really enjoyong this. its helping motivate me to start or continue with changes and goals.