Madeleine Frank

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).

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

I will spend 3 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 create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

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

I will organize one of Ecochallenge.org's discussion courses on food sustainability - 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change' with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

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

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

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

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

I will spend at least 3 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, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

Access to public transportation enables more opportunity and a better quality of life. I will make 1 phone call(s) and/or send 1 emails per day to public officials to advocate for a more comprehensive public transportation system in my region.

Whether it's by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support low-income solar initiatives in my area.

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

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 4 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

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.