Samantha Cooper

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

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

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 each day that I do this.

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

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 4 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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 enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

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

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

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

I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.

I will spend at least 15 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

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

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