Sean Collins

UWLAX ECO TEAM

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
437 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

180

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

4.0

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

0.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

75

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

25

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

0.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

375

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

300

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

0.0

minutes

spent learning

Sean's actions

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Heat and Cool Naturally

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Say No to Plastic Straws

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 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 15-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn it off

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

COMPLETED 0
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
Nature Spend Time Outside

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Sean Collins 10/10/2019 1:47 PM

I think that that is true. Days where I do not get fresh air and do not disconnect from electronics and unwind, I feel more stressed and as though something is missing. When I am able to be outside and relax I feel less stressed. I also find that I sleep better when I spend more time outdoors. People who remain indoors do not get that fresh air that humans require. We also don't get as many personal interactions with our environment or the people in it. It makes you feel cooped up.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

Sean Collins 10/10/2019 1:43 PM

First off, I get to think about and more thoroughly enjoy the food that I am eating. It gives me time for myself to think about the things I need to do, rather than mindlessly stare at the tv, phone, etc. It is quiet and relaxing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Sean Collins 10/10/2019 1:41 PM

You can actually use your senses and get a good understanding of what is going on around you. You get the opportunity to not have to think about driving or what others are doing, and enjoy/ observe what is around you. You get to experience the world rather than just travel through it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Meet My Local Farmers

When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? How can knowing their food producers enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

Sean Collins 10/08/2019 3:26 PM

Knowing who produces your food and where and how it is produced is important because it helps create connections among you, those people and the food being produced. This helps give you insight and allows you to actually see who is making the food and gives you an appreciation for that food and everything that those farmers do. Yes, it would definitely motivate someone to advocate for higher quality life conditions for those who produce the food, and their families.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Say No to Plastic Straws

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Sean Collins 10/08/2019 3:22 PM

I used to use plastic grocery bags, but now I either bring my own or use paper. If you want to use those items that is okay, but companies should try and make their products environmentally safe and decomposable.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Heat and Cool Naturally

What are other ways you could use the power of the sun to reduce your own environmental footprint?

Sean Collins 10/07/2019 1:29 PM

Instead of using a heater, I could keep my windows closed and keep my blinds open, In order to capture the concentrated heat of the sun in my apartment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Turn it off

How is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?

Sean Collins 10/07/2019 1:27 PM

Energy where I live is fueled through the use of natural gas, coal, nuclear and hydro, as well as wind power and solar. Some of these are better on the environment, such as hydro, wind, and sun powered forms of energy. These are better for the environment and everyone that lives in it.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Choose LED Bulbs

Switching out your lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?

Sean Collins 10/07/2019 1:24 PM

I can do this by riding my bike or walking to class, rather than driving my car. I can also turn off all electronics and lights in my apartment when I am not there or when they are not being used.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Use Reusable Bottles

What are some of the needs that water meets or benefits that water provides for you?

Sean Collins 10/07/2019 1:23 PM

Water is needed for our survival. Without water I would die. Our bodies require it to perform functions related to basic living.

Read More