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Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar

Breeann Kyte Kirby

ESI2050

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 246 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    6.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    32
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    48
    gallons of water
    have been saved

Breeann's actions

Community

Engage In Active Listening

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 2 conversations.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement

I will spend at least 20 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

COMPLETED 3
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn it off

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

COMPLETED 0
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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 20 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Shower Shorter

I couldn't select the shorter shower daily action one, so I am putting it here as my personal one. I LOVE the shower and want to limit my time there. Instead of 5 min (I have long hair), I want to limit to 7 minutes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Support Native Communities

I will use the resource links provided below and spend 20 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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
    Water Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement
    Who is affected by polluted water or a lack of access to water in your region? How are they affected?

    Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/13/2021 12:34 PM
    In putting together content for our class, I learned a lot about how water rights are tied to so many other interests especially in the West. Even something as simple as owning land is affected by water since our aquifers are shared. This is an example of the commons and how figuring out ways to manage interest of the common good is vital. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Brush My Teeth Without Running Water
    What is the main water source in your region? If you don't know, how could you find out?

    Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/13/2021 12:33 PM
    This wasn't very challenging. I found that I already do this but didn't realize it. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Eco-friendly Gardening
    What are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.

    Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/13/2021 12:30 PM
    Drought is the most prominent concern here, so I do container gardening with a worm-composting tower so that I can minimize the water I have to use. I also use organic soils and feeds. Today I planted 5 tomatoes and some mint and basil. 
  • 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?

    Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/10/2021 4:03 PM
    I love that we can do collective impact by all of us doing the same thing. I don't use straws often but I LOVE my cold coffee drinks out of straws, so I said no today and actually will find the reusable metal straw I have to carry with me so that I can still drink my tasty cold beverages from a straw without adding plastic to the environment. 

    I saw this image on my walk the other day. The beauty of plastic . . .

  • Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/10/2021 3:59 PM
    We've been challenged by Sustainability in Action class!! Let's get to it! I want to WIN!! :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Water Use Reusable Bottles
    What are some of the needs that water meets or benefits that water provides for you?

    Breeann Kyte Kirby's avatar
    Breeann Kyte Kirby 3/10/2021 3:57 PM
    Water for me helps me from mindlessly eating when I am bored. It also keeps me energized as I work and exercise. I usually use a bag water bottle that is reusable (it's so good for travel because it folds up) but it got a hole in it a month ago, so I've been using and reusing a large Arrowhead water bottle. I intend to use it until it is not good to put water in. And then I will go through the many reusable water bottles I already have and start using one of those.