Darci Balius

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

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

I will sign up for a local CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture).

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work, on campus and/or in the spaces I frequent.

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

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

I will spend 10 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

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

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about food apartheid and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

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

I will spend at least 15 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

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 create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.

A community can be brought to its knees without dependable power, often affecting the most vulnerable. I will write 1 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate for a more resilient power grid (e.g. microgrids, solar+storage).

Greenhouse gases found in old refrigerants are up to 10,900 times more potent than carbon dioxide. I will help eliminate these gases through the purchase of offset credits to ensure we all have a planet we can thrive on.

Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support businesses owned by people of color in my community whenever I shop.

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out what local laws, policies, and practices keep people from voting in my community.

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.