Kate Achenbach
"Every bit of sustainable living helps miss Mother Nature!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 630 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO10advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
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UP TO3.0donationsmade
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UP TO7.0hoursvolunteered
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UP TO515minutesof additional sleep
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UP TO540minutesspent exercising
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UP TO300minutesspent learning
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UP TO120minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO31plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO58plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO33plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO8.0poundswaste composted
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UP TO4.0public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO25more servingsof fruits and vegetables
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UP TO3.0water collection systemsinstalled
Kate's actions
Waste
Advocate For More Food Packaging Options
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.
Waste
RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES
I will spend 60 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns
I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Donate to or Volunteer for Low-Income Solar Initiatives
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.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Join An Outdoor Project
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
I will watch 2 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.
Simplicity
Core Values
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.
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Transportation
Car Share
I will sign up for a car-sharing service or organize car sharing with my neighbors or classmates to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Food
Meet My Local Farmers
I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Support Local Pollinators
At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 60 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.
Action Track: Building Resilience
Advocate for More Food Options
I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.
Energy
Adjust the Thermostat
I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.
Health
Healthy Sleep
Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 60 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.
Health
Exercise Daily
Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.
Health
More Fruits and Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Health
Happiness
I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.
Waste
Compost Food Waste
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.
Waste
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and POC-majority neighborhoods. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Waste
Skip the Straw
Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building Resilience Eco-friendly GardeningWhat are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Healthy SleepConsider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?
Kate Achenbach 4/24/2021 10:30 AMI have to admit I have terrible sleep patterns but getting better with this will help my own personal daily successfulness and can help me every day! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Skip the StrawHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Kate Achenbach 4/24/2021 10:29 AMUsing skip the straws is a great way to start incorporating the “R’s”! Bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and using reusable water bottles are other great ways to use the “R’s”. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Compost Food WasteNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 8:06 PMI am new-ish to composting! It has become one of my favorite things and I am so glad that the food excess will go to hopefully help something new grow! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth HappinessHow does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 8:05 PMPracticing gratitude can help me stay positive in tough times throughout the week and get me through the hard mental days. Finding ways to staying positive keeps me motivated to work harder as well!! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Use a Reusable Water BottleWhile water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 8:02 PMSince I was little at my house we have always used reusable water bottles! This habit has become permanent and will help the earth by just filling up my water bottle a few times a day. Plus it keeps me hydrated! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Exercise DailyHow can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 7:59 PMI have incorporated my personal values like spending time outside like going on walks along the Mississippi and keeping in shape with playing volleyball! I also love to run in the summers outside in the mornings :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Adjust the ThermostatYour utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 7:58 PMAdjusting the thermostat down even just a few degrees especially in the harsh Minnesota winters can save tons of energy just through those few winter months! -
Kate Achenbach 4/23/2021 7:52 PMHopped over to sustainability bingo and won some great reusable ziplocs! Another addition to my sustainable living :) -
Kate Achenbach 4/22/2021 7:05 PMHappy Earth Day🌎 let’s continue to improve Mother Nature each day!!