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Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an EcoChallenge expert in no time!
"Make this planet cleaner, happier, and stronger! :)"
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.
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.
I will adopt a diet free of animal products.
I will not eat seafood.
I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local producers.
I will decide which social or environmental issue in my community is most important to me and tell 1 friends per day about the issue.
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.
I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
I will volunteer 4 hour(s) in my community.
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.
I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.
I will make my environmental actions visible with a lawn sign or bumper sticker, or by posting to my social media networks.
Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.
I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an issue that matters to me.
I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.
I will work from home 5 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
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.
I will not purchase anything but food and water.
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.
I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.
I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.
I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.
I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.
I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.
I will eat 1 meal(s) outside each day.
I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.
Research or test drive an electric car or bike.
I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
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.
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.
I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.
I will commit to getting 45 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.
I will research toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
I will only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.
I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero waste each day.
I will exercise daily for 30 minute(s) per day for two weeks.
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.
I will cook a new recipe every day that features organic and/or local ingredients.
I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.
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.
I will tend to a garden each day, or work on starting one.
I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.
I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
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.
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
I will replace 12 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
I will enjoy 2 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
I will enjoy 2 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.
I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.
I will avoid sending 5 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.
I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.
I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
I will limit my social media use to once per day.
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
I will avoid sending .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.
I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided at work.
I will maintain a record of all my purchases.
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.
I will offer to help 2 person(s) who are in need each day.
I will disconnect from my email when not at work.
I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.
I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
I will take a walk each day.
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
let someone vent to you, you never know when they are having a bad day