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Lauren Simitz's avatar

Lauren Simitz

Northwestern University Earth Month 2020

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,080 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    45
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    1,335
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    465
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    32
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    240
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    80
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    28
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    person
    helped

Lauren's 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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

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

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.

COMPLETED
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

Waste

Prevent Recycling Contamination

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Support Businesses Owned by People of Color

Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support businesses owned by people of color in my community whenever I shop.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Organize a Course

I will organize Ecochallenge.org's discussion course 'A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World' with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy
    What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

    Lauren Simitz's avatar
    Lauren Simitz 4/28/2020 4:40 PM
    • Unplug unused electronics, as they still sap up power
    • Power down as opposed to putting your compute on sleep
    • Unplug electronics when fully charged
    • Operate devices on a dimmer setting to use less power
    • Turn off lights when there is sunlight or you are not in the room
    • Install solar energy so when energy is used, it comes from natural sources
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature
    How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

    Lauren Simitz's avatar
    Lauren Simitz 4/28/2020 4:38 PM
    Walking puts greater emphasis on your senses, so that I found myself more engaged and aware of myself in the environment than when I drive. For instance, I feel the sun on my skin or the uneven rock beneath my feet. This makes the experience of being in nature more direct and instills a greater sense of respect for our plant--and thus the need to protect it.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy
    What are other ways you could use the power of the sun to reduce your own environmental footprint?

    Lauren Simitz's avatar
    Lauren Simitz 4/25/2020 11:37 PM
    • Use the sun's radiation to dry things off naturally, like hanging clothes on a clothes line as opposed to putting them in a dryer
    • Install solar and use that energy in place of electricity from the power grid, which primarily comes from fossil fuel sources
    • Use the sun as natural lighting when possible
    • Use the sun to grow plants, either in a garden to produce your own local, in-season food, or in your house to help keep the air clean
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature
    How might spending more time outdoors enhance your brainpower?

    Lauren Simitz's avatar
    Lauren Simitz 4/16/2020 6:11 PM
    Spending time outdoors fosters mindfulness - I find myself practicing meditation and working on being aware of my body and how I feel, removing myself from thoughts about work temporarily. I come back far more refreshed and ready to take on work.

    • Sarah Tulga's avatar
      Sarah Tulga 4/20/2020 12:09 PM
      That is great to hear! Nature and meditation are amazing for centering yourself. Especially with all the stress of a new quarter!