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October 14 - October 28, 2016
Alex Youssefian's avatar

Alex Youssefian

Boly:Welch Be:Well

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,441 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.2
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    450
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    24
    miles
    traveled by bike
  • UP TO
    53
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    lightbulb
    replaced
  • UP TO
    15
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    280
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    10
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    135
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    600
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    15
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    450
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    45
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Alex's actions

Food

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Fix Leaky Faucets

I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Collect Rain Water

I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Needs vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Join my Neighborhood Association

I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Disable Screen Savers

I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 20 minute(s) of screen time per day with other activities.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Containers

I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Just Drive Less

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle

Research or test drive an electric car or bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go Get a Check Up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

I will exercise daily for 15 minute(s) per day for two weeks.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn it off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Go by Bike

I will commute by bike 3 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 4.61 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Work-Life Balance

I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Avoid Disposables

I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore my Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Recycle all Recyclable Materials

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

I will limit my social media use to once per day.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Say No to Seafood

I will not eat seafood.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

I will only use muscle-powered transportation.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Know My Health

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Join A Quit-Smoking Program

I will join a smoking cessation program and post my daily progress on my EcoChallenge feed.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Join an Outdoor Project

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy from a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Create Your Own Action

Picking up Butts

Cigarette buts are everywhere - and since i'm trying to quit, i've noticed how horrible they are. I'm committing to picking up at least 5 a day

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/28/2016 9:25 AM
    “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ” 

    -FDR

    • Lisaana Otter's avatar
      Lisaana Otter 10/28/2016 9:28 AM
      That's a good and inspiring quote!  Thanks, I'll set it aside for later.

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/28/2016 9:24 AM
    “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”
    -Mahatma Gandhi

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/27/2016 3:28 PM
    1 more day everyone! Keep it going and continue it after the challenge is done!

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/26/2016 1:02 PM
    Ok, so many of these things are super easy. Turning off lights, your computer, LED bulbs, short showers. I am a BIG fan of this challenge, and encourage us all (who have benefited from it) to commit to getting people who have not participated on board next year. It's so easy, and so important. Can't wait until I have a garden of my own to step up to the next level (thanks for the inspiration, Hannah!).

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/25/2016 4:21 PM
    Ecochallenge, only a handfull of days to go!

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/25/2016 4:21 PM
    Here's to ecochallenge, encouraging better habits and helping us help the world, and each other!

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/24/2016 10:29 AM
    Half way through and they're feeling like normal, every day practices. What a great activity to promote better daily habits! 

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/21/2016 2:05 PM
    I've had to take the last two days off of biking, and I miss it!! Muscle powered transportation!!

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/20/2016 8:43 AM
    • Day 7 and these are beginning to become habits. How/why did I previously take such long showers???

  • Alex Youssefian's avatar
    Alex Youssefian 10/19/2016 12:47 PM
    Feel like you want to do more or something else? Create your own challenge - i just did, and it's a great way to get creative on ways to help!