Gabriel Stark

Community Team

"Save the animals, water the plants, and keep it clean!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
349 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

360

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

4.0

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

8.0

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

90

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

4.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed

Gabriel's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 45 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 90 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 4 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

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

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?

Gabriel Stark 4/24/2020 3:40 PM

Hey everyone,

We've just passed 3,000 points! Thank you all for your work and participation. We're still in third place behind the class of 2023 and the faculty, but we still have time and I know we can take the lead!

Also, today's theme for sustainability week is wellness! So make sure to take care of yourself and remain mindful. This is a very stressful and strange time for all of us, so let's make sure to keep life in perspective and treat ourselves. Going on a walk, doing a short meditation, or just taking it easy are all great for mental health. You could also reach out to a friend or family member to check how they're doing too!

Let's keep up the great work and sustainable actions. The little things add up and make all the difference!

Have a great weekend,
Gabe Stark

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

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?

Gabriel Stark 4/24/2020 3:33 PM

I went to Target for groceries today, but I realized that I had forgotten to bring my reusable bag. Luckily, I didn't buy too much, so I was able to carry the food out in two trips. However, today served as a reminder to bring the bag so I don't put myself in a situation where I would use a plastic bag.

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Gabriel Stark 4/22/2020 1:46 PM

Hey everyone,

Happy Earth Day!

Today marks the 50th anniversary since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Since we're all participating in this challenge, I'm sure we've all practiced one or more sustainable actions today, and I'm excited to see your posts at the end of the day! Let's finish this Earth Day strong, make a difference, and earn point for the team!

Additionally, today's sustainability week theme is energy. So, aim to reduce your energy use today. One easy action is to simply make sure that you turn off the lights when you leave a room or when you go to bed. Again, thank you all for your sustained participation and action. Let's keep up the good work!

Gabriel Stark

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Gabriel Stark 4/22/2020 1:11 PM

Exercise doesn't always have to be a chore. Working out with a friend or moving your workout outside can make all the difference.

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Gabriel Stark 4/20/2020 3:03 PM

Sorry for the back to back posts, but there are a few things I forgot to address.

Firstly, today is not only the first day of the Eco-Challenge, but also the first day of sustainability week! Today's focus is on water. I urge all you you to reduce your water usage today (turn off the sink when you brush your teeth, take a shorter shower, wash your dishes by hand, ect.). Then, make sure to share your actions in the team feed, or share your completed goals for the day.

Secondly, if you're having trouble navigating the Eco-Challenge website or having any confusion on how to post and where to earn points, there are helpful tutorial and "How-To" videos located on the left side of the website, under your profile picture. If those aren't helpful or you can't find them, you can always get in contact with me and I can help you out.

Lastly, if you haven't seen already, the UST Eco-Challenge has an Instagram! There we will be posting information about the challenge, updates on prizes, progress, and team standings, general sustainability information, as well as highlights from UST Eco-Challenge participants! So make sure to follow the page if you'd like a chance to be featured.

UST Eco-Challenge Instagram: ust_ecochallenge

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Gabriel Stark 4/20/2020 2:48 PM

Hey everyone! Today is officially the start of the Eco-Challenge, and so far we're off to an awesome start. Thank you so much to everyone who has introduced themselves, pledged goals, shared a post, and answered a reflection question. The participation so far is incredible and I can't thank you all enough.

Now, the competition is 2 weeks in total, so it would be great if you all could try to work the Eco-Challenge into your schedule for the next 14 days. Even if you don't post every day, just checking off your pledged goals and seeing your teammates posts would be appreciated.

Even though it's the only the first day of the competition, we're making huge progress and already have over 1,200 points as a team! However, we're currently in 3rd against the other St. Thomas team. We're behind the Freshman, as well as the Professors. The professors currently have 57 team members, so it's understandable that they're in the lead, and I'm sure that we're going to beat them. Yet, the Freshman only have 37 team members are still ahead of us! Obviously we have time to make up the points, but make sure to check in with your friends and remind them to make a post or join if they haven't yet.

One really easy way to earn 15 points is to just add a profile picture, so I encourage you all to upload one to your profile. Again that you for the overwhelming participation today, I can't wait to see our progress over the next 2 weeks. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.

Gabriel Stark

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Healthy Sleep

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?

Gabriel Stark 4/20/2020 2:32 PM

Since classes went online, my average amount of sleep has increased to about 7-8 hours! I feel better and more energized to go about my daily activities. However, my sleep pattern has changed and I often fin myself going to better later and waking up later as a result. While I'm getting a healthier amount of sleep, I need to work on moving back to a more productive sleep schedule.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Choose Organic Ingredients

Many people say that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” How would you respond to that statement?

Gabriel Stark 4/20/2020 2:28 PM

Of course organics aren't a consistent option for everyone. Yet, when the opportunity for locally sourced, organics is given, why not take the extra step to eat well and feel good about it?

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- Hannah Dasyam 4/20/2020 5:16 PM
  
  I totally agree! It may not be as economically feasible for some people but the goal would be that the market shifts from mass agricultural to more locally sourced and organic foods!
  
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Gabriel Stark 4/15/2020 12:47 PM

Hey everyone! I'm Gabe and I will be the Class of 2021's team captain for the UST Campus Ecochallenge! I'm a junior, as we all are, and I'm majoring in Public Health, with a minor in sustainability. I'm also a member of the UST SSLP (Student Sustainability Leader Program), with a specific focus on waste diversion and reducing food waste.

First, I'd like to thank all of you for signing up early and being part of this competition. There's still a couple of days before the Ecochallenge begins, April 20th, so please reach out to a friend and get them to sign up as well! Even if some of your friends aren't juniors, encourage the to sign up for the other classes' teams, as more participation results in more sustainable outcomes.

Second, I've been getting ready for the Ecochallenge by reflecting on the activities in my day that I know could be done more sustainably. After considering my own reflections, I chose a few sustainable action goals from the Ecochallenge dashboard. Some of mine include, "Reduce Animal Products", "Healthy Sleep", and "Exercise Daily". I encourage all of you to reflect on some of your daily activities that could be made more sustainable, and pick out a few challenges that fit your goals. Not only do your actions make an impact, but they earn our team points as well! So make sure to log your actions on the Ecochallenge website!

Lastly, thank you all so much for participating in this event. It means a lot to me, my co-workers in the SSLP, your classmates, campus culture, and the environment. So thank you all for being open and willing to make a difference. Plus we could win some pretty cool prizes at the end.
If anyone has and questions, comments, concerns, thoughts, or emotions they'd like to share, feel free to text or email me.

Gabriel Stark
262-388-9272
[email protected]

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