Drew Austin

I will spend at least 3 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

I will spend 4 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

I will spend at least 10 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 find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

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

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will use the resource links provided below and spend 5 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.

I will spend 10 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.

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

What can lack of access to nutritious food affect a community? How can having access to nutritious food help a community become more resilient?

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 keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will spend at least 10 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 15 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.

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 avoid sending 8 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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