Rachel Olen

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

I will enjoy 5 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

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

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.

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.

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

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

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

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

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

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

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

I will use public transit 6 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 0.07 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

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 3 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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

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

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

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

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 spend at least 30 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

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 work from home 1 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

I will spend at least 5 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

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

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will walk 2 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 1.3 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

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

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

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 complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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

I will test drive an electric vehicle at the Forth showcase in downtown Portland.