Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Riya Bharti

Kwantlen Student Association

"Together we can do it!!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
265 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

6.3

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

135

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

8.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

56

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

19

people

helped

Riya's actions

Community

Sign up for the Sustainable KSA Newsletter

Here's a freebie action for everyone! If you haven't already, sign up for the SustainableKSA newsletter to stay on top of all of our events, promotions, and news. Sign up at http://eepurl.com/diZbsv!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Watch the film Creatures of Convenience on CBC Gem

Check out the film Creatures of Convenience on CBC Gem for FREE! This is a local film about the the impact our culture of convenience has on the environment. If you liked the film, consider attending our Earth Day event on Thursday, April 22: "In Conversation: Creatures of Convenience," a Q&A session with the film's producer and filmmaker, moderated by KPU instructor Dr. Paul Richard! To complete this action, you only have to watch the film - but we'd love to see you at the event as well! :)

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 133 lbs of CO2 a month and 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Help Others

I will offer to help 2 person(s) who are in need each day.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided when I have to print documents.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn it off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:42 PM
I would simply just place my items in the cart. I already have a habit of using reusable bags. So i always have them in my car. everyone should try it . Trust me! its worth it.

Read More
- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:36 AM
  Definitely worth it! Another thing to try is walking to the grocery store if it's not too far away. It takes a bit of thought, but driving has a big impact on the climate. I use a backpack or a small cart when I walk to the grocery store.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:39 PM
Beaches. Thats a big one. I understand that summer time is all about going to the beach , having a nice swim and hanging out with your friends. But what we dont see is how so many people dump their trash like wrappers, banana peels (which should go in the organic can), empty bottles and much more. Littering is a big issue , happens too often during summer on beaches. Growing up I was taught to keep my trash with me until i find a garbage can to dispose it . I just find it really hard to litter. I think one of easiest and efficient way we can help the water systems is if we all learn to take a separate garbage bag with us and throw trash in there and keep it aside until we find a garbage can. I do it and its been helpful.

Read More
- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:35 AM
  Totally! But even better would be to reduce our waste entirely by choosing options with less plastic packaging. Hopefully more options like that will become available if citizens demand it!
  
  Read More
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:30 PM
Hey, how is everyone doing today? I have a question. What are some other ways one can save up on electricity?

Read More
- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:34 AM
  Hi Riya, I'm not sure what you're doing already, but some ideas are:
  -Turn your thermostat down by 1-2 degrees (if you have electric heat)
  -Turn off and unplug appliances that you aren't using. Even if they're turned off, appliances often pull "phantom power" to keep clocks or little lights on.
  -Turn off the lights when you leave the room, or use natural light by opening the windows
  -Use fans or open windows instead of using AC in the summer
  
  Also remember that BC's power grid is relatively low-carbon! If you're looking to have a positive impact on the climate, you would be better off reducing your car use or natural gas use (some houses have natural gas for cooking, cleaning & hot water).
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

What is the main water source in your region? If you don't know, how could you find out?
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:28 PM
It comes from pristine watersheds in the North Shore Mountains

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- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:32 AM
  Yes indeed! Did you know you can take a tour of our watershed?
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Choosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:27 PM
Yes the adjustment on my computer is easy. I have suggested alot of my friends to do the same and even taught them how to print both sides. Some of my friends actually do it and it makes me happy.

Read More
- Hina Kuae 3/18/2021 1:44 PM
  Amazing! Let's spread these amazing green tips that are good for the planet and your bank account! haha
  
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- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:31 AM
  That's awesome!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy

How is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Riya Bharti 3/16/2021 9:24 PM
As far as my understanding goes Most electricity in my area is generated from a clean and renewable source. Most comes from river water, but a lot also comes from forest biomass, wind and landfill gas.

Read More
- Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:31 AM
  Yep, BC has a pretty clean power grid - but it's still important not to unnecessarily waste energy!
  
  Read More