Kolton Epperson

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

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

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

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 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 source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.

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 save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

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.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 5 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

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

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

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

I will enjoy 3 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

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

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

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

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

I will use public transit 6 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to -1.3 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will commute by carpool 5 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 0.12 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will walk 2 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 0.85 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 4 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will keep 6 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

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

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.

I will spend at least 3 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

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 replace 4 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will enjoy 3 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

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

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

I will avoid sending 3 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.

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