Create more environmental + social good. Join the People's Ecochallenge!

2020 People's Ecochallenge

October 7 - October 28, 2020

Colleen & Friends Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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?

Bala Cadambi 10/22/2020 2:06 PM

Researching voting in Oregon, I came across these resources:
History of vote by mail:
https://multco.us/elections/brief-history-vote-mail-oregon

A 2018 panel that explains how our process works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4YFMJn2MNs&feature=emb_logo

The state resource page
https://sos.oregon.gov/voting-elections/Pages/default.aspx

And how felonies are reconciled
https://multco.us/elections/voting-rights-oregon-person-convicted-felony-frequently-asked-questions

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal Mindfulness Practice

What best helped you with your Mindfulness Practice? How does Mindfulness keep you grounded and sustain your work with compassion?

Linda Gerber 10/15/2020 10:21 AM

It is so difficult for me to set aside the time to do the two things that I say I want to prioritize for myself: mindfulness practice and exercise. I prioritize lot's of little boxes on my to-do list. This is a bad habit. I'm trying some strategies to change this. First, I'm writing up my to-do list the night before rather than the morning of. Then, I'm trying to knock off a few of those things before I go to sleep for the night. If anyone has suggestions for other strategies that have worked for you, let me know.

Read More
Linda Gerber 10/15/2020 10:17 AM
I gave virtual testimony on October 14 at the Oregon DEQ Town Hall which focused on hearing Oregonians’ goals for Governor Brown’s Cap-and-Reduce Program which is currently being drafted by DEQ. I spoke as a member of the Oregon business community and as a member of the business group E2 or Environmental Entrepreneurs. Here is the text of my comments:
- I’m Linda Gerber, the owner and operator of North Logan Farm, in Clackamas County. It’s a working farms that’s been in my family for well over 125 years. I hope to pass it down to my children, grandchildren and new great grandchildren.
- E2 is a network of nearly 500 Oregon-based business-voices, representing a wide range of industries – from farming, forestry, and real estate TO energy storage, biofuels, energy efficiency, and beyond.
- On behalf of E2’s business network, I’m here to express our support for a strong Cap-and-Reduce Program.
- If developed and implemented appropriately, this program will reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and decrease air pollution harming public health.
- As an Oregon professional farmer, I recognize that Oregon and DEQ have the opportunity to develop a program to deliver critical economic development benefits. Benefits that will drive job growth and position Oregon to thrive in the low-carbon economy of the future. A well-designed program will drive clean energy and cleantech innovation and steer investment into rural communities through carbon sequestration projects on our lands.
- On September 8, I woke shorty at midnight to see my neighboring farm’s wood-land on fire. I saw flames racing up tall fir trees and a broad swath of woods alight and crackling red and orange. I’ll never get that image out of my mind, nor will I forget how my terrified heart raced as I called 911 and jumped into our truck to awaken our soundly sleeping neighbors. Later in the day, we evacuated ourselves and our animals as two separate fires raced towards us down the Clackamas river.
- There is no greater threat to our farm than climate change. Those September wildfires are widely attributed to climate change. But our ability to grow and harvest our crops have already been impacted by climate change. Our land is eroding because of unusually heavy rains caused by climate change. Harvest and planting times have been up-ended because of climate change. Climate change is an existential threat to our farm and Oregon’s farming industry.
- With that said, I and the E2 business community call on DEQ to develop a program that will drive meaningful reductions in our GHG emissions. Let’s set Oregon on the path towards a prosperous and climate-stable future. A safer future.
- Thank you again for the opportunity to provide the business case for a strong program.
Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Upgrade Heating & Cooling Units

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

Anne Whiting 10/14/2020 8:00 PM

I love the Earth. I love our precious nature. I love fragile meadows and healthy trees. Climate change is real and it’s my responsibility to do everything I can to minimize my footprint.

Read More
Holly H 10/13/2020 9:06 PM

Worked on being more intentional with limiting screen-time. I replaced it with a good homemade meal and some art journaling!

Read More
Anne Whiting 10/13/2020 5:56 PM

Read More
Anne Whiting 10/12/2020 12:16 PM

As part of my decluttering challenge, I've come to the realization that I own a LOT of makeup but I NEVER wear it. I get drawn in to buying products because the marketing is so good and of course applying the new product will finally feel effortlessness enough to wear it daily - but it never does. I get fooled each time. So, as part of the challenge to look up how to recycle the items that the curbside bin won't take (hmm, the plastic disaster known as makeup), I sent my information in to ILIA (a makeup company with good mascara - the only makeup I'll wear on the regular) to receive a shipping label to send 5 emptied and clean beauty products back to them. They'll work with TerraCycle to break the components down so they can be recycled. Win-win.

Read More
- Linda Gerber 10/15/2020 10:26 AM
  
  Very interesting about ILIA and TerraCycle. I'm trying to cut down significantly on purchases of all kinds by forcing myself to wait a day before buying anything. Impulse shopping is so very easy in our digitally connected marketplaces. So far this week, this strategy has helped me avoid buying a refurbished Ninja blender at a killer good price, but something I wanted but didn't need. Also, two books I wanted, a book of Gluck's poems ("Poems 1962-2012) and a volume ("Ask More") I saw on Anthony Fauci's bookshelf while watching a Zoom interview of him. Because I waited a day, I had time to order both from my public library.
  
  Read More
Linda Gerber 10/12/2020 7:05 AM

I’m inspired my family and friends who are getting out the vote for climate change fighting candidates.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal Family Game Hour

How does being playful with others enrich your life?

Colleen Murray 10/11/2020 12:13 PM

Last night my partner and I spent over two hours working on an NYT crossword with friends over Google Meet. We laughed so much and exercised our brains. Socializing with friends during the pandemic is so fulfilling. (photo w/those friends attached - from 12/20
18)

Read More
- Linda Gerber 10/15/2020 10:27 AM
  
  That's a great idea, Colleen!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more things in the future?

Anne Whiting 10/09/2020 4:13 PM

I no longer feel compelled to buy things for the sake of having them. In the past year, I have cut my spending significantly and have been able to invest in gear for backpacking (my passion) as a result. I am a lightweight backpacker so if I won't carry it, I'm not buying it because I don't need it. I've also been able to invest in my house and make it (slowly) a space that I love to be. Saving my money and only buying what I need doesn't feel like a sacrifice anymore - it feels natural and rewarding.

Read More