The number one thing I noticed in composting my food waste as opposed to just throwing it away, was how quickly the compost container was filling up and in turn, how much food waste we really throw away. Once my compost material is ready, I plan to use it as planting soil for the various plants I have in and around my house!

Before doing the EcoChallenge the single-use items I used regularly were that of plastic baggies and plastic food containers. In order to reduce these items I bought reusable bags to store food items in and packed my lunch in reusable containers each day. 

This Vox article discusses the connections of some chronic conditions, like asthma, and severe cases of COVID-19. Asthma can be caused by air pollution, and studies suggest race and income impact how much air pollution people are exposed to. This is one potential reason why there are racial disparities in the number of COVID cases and mortality rates–that and, the inept governmental response to communities such as Native American reservations. This indicates that not only is COVID a health, mental health, and economic crisis facing our society, but also a crisis of environmental racism–making it an issue of environmental justice as well. Decades of ignoring environmental issues in lower-income areas has led to many people being more vulnerable to this virus.

Trans, femme and nonbinary people make up an important part of our society. They are at higher risk for violence, especially those who are also BIPOC. Equality is important and lifting up the voices of those who are systematically and traditionally marginalized and harmed is extremely important in creating a just and sustainable society.

People in wealthier countries eat more meat because they can. Meat production is an expensive and timely process. It provides protein, but a cheaper and faster protein is beans and rice. Meat production is also not a very sustainable process. This affects our planet by raising air pollutants and water pollutants. It affects other people because we need clean air and clean water to survive. It is unjust that Americans are 5% of the population but use 25% of the earths resources. This desire for meat protein is just that, a desire. Not a need for survival or a pivotal protein. During this challenge, I have felt this craving for meat at times, but I also realized that the taste of tofu or fake meat is about 95% as satisfying. I don;t think I can go vegan (at least yet) but I think I am going to try to be vegetarian. Not eating meat has felt decently natural and very very doable, so why not!?

I do agree that when you feel grateful for something or rely on something, it gives you more of an urgency to give back. At least that has been true in my experience. Whenever I spend time outdoors I try to take in and appreciate nature. All my time spent in nature has lead me to a better understanding of it as well as a personal devotion to do what I can to leave the earth cleaner and healthier than before.