Ecochallenge.org

2020 People's Ecochallenge

October 7 - October 28, 2020

Cassandra Hage

WashU Together

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
288 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

8.0

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

2.0

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

7.5

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

23

trees

planted
UP TO

230

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

200

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

6.0

miles

traveled by bike

Cassandra's actions

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Support Businesses Owned by People of Color

Do at Home

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

Do at Home

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Research Voter Suppression

Do at Home

I will spend at least 30 minutes finding out what local laws, policies, and practices keep people from voting in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Support Native Communities

Do at Home

I will use the resource links provided and spend 30 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Core Values

Do at Home

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Watch a Documentary about Racial Injustice

Do at Home

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go by Bike

I will commute by bike 3 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Calculate the Carbon Footprint of my Household

Do at Home

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk Outside

Do at Home

I will take a walk outside for 20 minutes each day.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Forage for My Food

Do at Home

I will use the resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Power Down the Computer

Do at Home

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.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Research Impact Investing

Do at Home

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and determine if it is right for me.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research My Investment Portfolio

Do at Home

I will find out what stocks and bonds are in my investment account portfolio to determine if they align with my values (e.g. environmental, social responsibility, community).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Plant Trees

Do at Home

I will plant 15 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Use Public Transit

I will use public transit 3 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community Support Businesses Owned by People of Color

A recent Keen Independent Research Foundation study found that Minority Businesses Enterprises (MBEs) are more likely to have difficulties in receiving loans or city contracts. In what ways can you work to address systemic racism like that demonstrated in this study?

Cassandra Hage 10/21/2020 9:37 AM

I was able to utilize a black owned business for a plumbing project. Hated to have to spend money on this project, but was happy to learned it was black owned. It was a great experience, so I will gladly recommend them to others. there is also a phase 2 of the project, and as long as the bid is competitive, I will support them!

Read More
- Marla Guggenheimer 10/23/2020 9:24 AM
  
  I think it is important to advocate for MBE contracts within the industries we work, be them public or private. WashU is an institution that comes to mind! Are there ways employees of WashU can advocate for MBE contracts?
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Forage for My Food

People are motivated to forage for many different reasons: as a source for food, a means of income, to connect with nature, to participate in cultural tradition, transmitting specific ecological knowledge, or as a means of stewarding local and native plant populations are just a few examples. What is your chief motivation for foraging?

Cassandra Hage 10/19/2020 8:51 AM

I LOVE discovering edible food in the landscape of my urban neighborhood and parks. This weekend, I found a lion's mane mushroom on a tree that has flushed before. Someone had already harvested the bulk of it, but I savored the remnants. There is another ball ready to flush. I hope I get there first!

Read More
- Marla Guggenheimer 10/23/2020 8:25 AM
  
  Urban foraging, I think, takes a special skill and patience because those who live in urban settings have to re-learn that "nature" still exists all around them. I've dabbled in foraging before, but would love to get more experience. Thank you for sharing yours, Cassie! It's truly amazing how nutritious food surrounds us in the natural environment, if we know where and how to look.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Plant Trees

How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

Cassandra Hage 10/19/2020 8:49 AM

For the past month and a half, I have been working with the city's forestry service and residents along my street to advocate for an plan for planting in what will be a city block full of trees. This includes transitioning several sidewalk slabs into "planters" that will now support trees. While the forestry department won't do the planting until later this fall/winter, the plans have been submitted, approved and scheduled. I cannot wait to see the block transform over the years!

Read More
- Marla Guggenheimer 10/23/2020 8:20 AM
  
  This is incredible, Cassie! I'm curious about how you got the momentum for this project and also what types of trees will be planted. Congratulations and I hope you'll be able to share photos of the progress in the future :)
  
  Read More