April 1 - April 30, 2019

Carol Peterson

"I am excited about this challenge and to see the impact that I have on my community. I look forward to completing new sustainable challenges that will ultimately lead to me living a greener lifestyle. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
815 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

28

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

116

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

145

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

928

gallons of water

have been saved

Carol's actions

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

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.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Conserve Toilet Water

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

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement

I will spend at least 5 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

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

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Who is affected by polluted water or a lack of access to water in your region? How are they affected?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 10:09 AM
Our region is still burdened by sewage spills into the Willamette River and it's tributaries during a heavy rainfall. This was apparently corrected, however it still occurs. I wouldn't eat fish or drink water from the river, or even go swimming in it because of this pollution.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 10:04 AM
I have already shut off my water usage while brushing my teeth. I need to focus on shortening my showers when washing my hair which takes over 5 minutes. This would be a huge step for me!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Where are your nearest natural bodies of water? How might they be affected by runoff?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 10:02 AM
Our water source is created by runoff from snow melt within an hour or so from our house. That's why it tastes so good and is pure of any chemicals or harmful additives.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Reducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:59 AM
I feel eliminating unnecessary paper mail, or junk mail, is like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. Unfortunately I have had to create paper waste by writing to various sources to stop the junk mail. It works though!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than in other places, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:55 AM
I think a family's history and what was taught in their past says a lot on how a current family lives. Most people from the old days lived on farms where they raised their own food, including meat sources. A single cow can feed a lot of people within a family.

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Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:45 AM
I am excited about this challenge and to see the impact that I have on my community. I look forward to completing new sustainable challenges that will ultimately lead to me living a greener lifestyle.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

What would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:38 AM
We take advantage of our excellent water. Using drip systems to water plants/gardens instead of over spraying with sprinklers would cut down on overwatering.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Bringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:34 AM
I have already eliminated using single-use cold cups and straws at Starbucks by purchasing three large reusable cups with lids and straws. Excellent way to save the environment!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?
Carol Peterson 4/01/2019 9:31 AM
I have an excellent planting area that is a raised bed for putting herbs that is exposed to southern sunshine.

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