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Valerie Schoonover's avatar

Valerie Schoonover

Northwestern University Earth Month 2020

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 153 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    45
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    2.2
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.0
    meatless or vegan meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    20
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    person
    helped

Valerie's actions

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 30 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 30 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Community

Help Others

I will offer to help 1 person(s) who are in need each day.

COMPLETED 0
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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Collect Rain Water

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

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

    Valerie Schoonover's avatar
    Valerie Schoonover 4/17/2020 9:40 AM
    This one is particularly difficult. I live in a small apartment, and since we don't have a dining room I do eat most dinners on the couch in front of the television. This is a way for me to unwind, and destress, but it can also take focus away from eating the food I've prepared. I try to make a point of eating at the kitchen counter away from screens and reading materials, at least a few times a week.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

    Valerie Schoonover's avatar
    Valerie Schoonover 4/17/2020 9:39 AM
    People in richer countries likely eat more meat than in other places because it is easily accessible, and perceived to be a richer, healthier, more indulgent form of protein and nutrients. Since eating meat is not a renewable resource (something must die in order for it to be consumed), it is more harmful to the environment. On the other hand, eating protein sources like beans, ancient grains, and eggs, reduces the amount of resources needed, and these food sources can be replenished faster than meat products. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy
    What are other ways you could use the power of the sun to reduce your own environmental footprint?

    Valerie Schoonover's avatar
    Valerie Schoonover 4/17/2020 9:36 AM
    Allow butter for baking to come up to room temperature naturally in the sunlight of my kitchen, rather than using the stove or microwave.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy
    What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

    Valerie Schoonover's avatar
    Valerie Schoonover 4/13/2020 9:23 AM
    always unplug kitchen appliances like blender, coffee maker, toaster, and coffee grinder, when not in use. 

    • Sarah Tulga's avatar
      Sarah Tulga 4/20/2020 12:10 PM
      This is great! Standby power is a sneaky thing. One good thing to keep in mind is that many appliances use standby power to keep lights on or be in sleep mode. If your toaster has a little light, that means that it would use this. Always prioritize turning off and unplugging items which have these lights as they use the most power.