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Welcome to Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals expert in no time!

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals
April 1 - April 30, 2023
Abigail Berlyn's avatar

Abigail Berlyn

Kohler Co.

"In high school and college, I was always the student that did speeches, case studies, and research projects on the Great Pacific Ocean Patch. I would like to see us remove all feasible waste from the ocean, with microplastics being my ultimate removal goal. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 796 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    204
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    4,000
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    33
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    110
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    7.0
    trees
    planted
  • UP TO
    2,140
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    285
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    4.0
    items
    repaired

Abigail's actions

Education & Livelihood

Share Your #KohlerEcochallenge Journey

Share your journey and one thing you learn during the Ecochallenge on any platform (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, KohlerNow) using hashtag #KohlerEcochallenge!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate & Ecosystems

Explore My Area

SDG 14, 15

Each day, I will spend 20 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG 3

I will spend 5 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG 3

I will replace 20 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside exercising, enjoying the sunrise/sunset, gardening, journaling, or practicing gratitude for nature.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Plant a Tree

SDG 15

On average, a tree absorbs 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of carbon dioxide yearly during the first 20 years. To do my part, I will plant 5 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Donate Clothing and Purchase Used Clothing

Donate used clothing to a local shelter, non-profit, etc. Or Purchase used clothing from a store.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Host or Join a Cleanup Event

SDG 11, 17

Within my community at home or work, I will organize or attend a local cleanup event.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Watch a Documentary About Economy, Energy, or Industry

SDG 7, 9, 12

I will watch 1 documentaries about economy, energy, or industry.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Analyze Your Utility Bills

SDG 7

I spend 20 minutes analyzing my recent utility bills, which might include electricity, gas, or water to see what my current usage is and determine if I can reduce my energy and water use.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Mend Clothing

SDG 9

I will mend clothing for myself, family or friends.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG 2

One kilogram of beef and cheese emits 71kg and 24kg of greenhouse gasses, while 1kg of rice, grains, and legumes emits between 2-4kg. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts emit less than 1kg per 1kg. I will reduce my climate impact by enjoying 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day this week.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Climate & Ecosystems

Collect Litter on a Plog / Plalk

SDG 15

Each day, I will go on a plog or plalk for 30 minutes and collect 2 items of litter.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Try a New Vegan or Vegetarian Recipe

I will try a new vegan or vegetarian recipe and share how it turns out on the Ecochallenge feed, or with family and friends.

COMPLETED
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?

  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/19/2023 7:57 AM
    Last night, the beautiful weather allowed my husband and I to complete some landscaping. We lined our gardens, added woodchips, and planted 7 trees (maybe more coming). We had to cut down a 30-year-old silver maple earlier last year because it was dying. This was one of the toughest decisions I had to make. I encourage all of you to think about your footprint. If you have to remove trees, shrubs, etc. think about how you are going to be replacing them. Pictures of our backyard to come! :)
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/11/2023 8:16 AM
    Some days I find it a little more challenging to get moving than others, but going outside, moving your body, and actively participating in the continual conservation of the environment is the most rewarding thing we can do.

    If you're finding it difficult to get moving today, don't hesitate. Get outside and empower yourself!
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/10/2023 9:29 AM
    Today, my run with my dog was in a neighborhood we had previously explored. We passed a couple picking up garbage as well. It was exciting to see, and exciting to do. I feel like each one of my outdoor experiences is more successful since dedicating time to picking up garbage.
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/10/2023 7:37 AM
    I went for a long run on our day off. While exploring my new area, my dog and I were met with ample amounts of garbage. Theo's (my dog) favorite thing to do is put garbage in his mouth. I have considered his putting garbage in his mouth his way of cleaning up the environment, but I also know it is his puppy instinct. We picked up a full bag of garbage, and Theo carried a water bottle for over half our run.
    Read More
    • Kayla Riege's avatar
      Kayla Riege 4/10/2023 8:12 AM
      Wow I want pics of Theo running with a water bottle in his mouth!! So cute he was helping!!!
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Basic Needs & Security
    What was the dish you made, and how did it turn out? What did it feel like to try a new recipe? If you can share a picture, please do!
    Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/06/2023 12:00 PM
    My husband has always been more of a sustainable eater than me. I grew up in a house that had some sort of meat, starch, and vegetable for dinner. My husband's family eats meals that contain no meat, or very little. One of their favorite recipes to make is:

    Quiche (Yes, we had breakfast for dinner):
    - 1.5 teaspoons salt
    - 0.5 cup zucchini
    - 2 tablespoons butter
    - 1.5 cup onion
    - 1 green bell pepper
    - 1 red bell pepper
    - 1 cup tomatoes
    - 0.5 cup mushrooms (I didn't use these because I don't like mushrooms)
    - 1 clove garlic
    - 0.25 teaspoon curry powder
    - 0.25 black pepper
    - 1 pinch cinnamon
    - 5 eggs
    - 0.25 cup milk
    - 0.25 cup parmesan cheese
    - 0.25 cup cheddar cheese
    - 19-inch unbaked pastry shell (I used pie crust)

    Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust you can see begins to darken.
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/06/2023 11:37 AM
    Yesterday, I decided to finally mend the clothes I have been putting off mending for so long. The easier option is to always replace a piece of clothing.

    However, that's not what I experienced growing up. My grandma sewed everything - I mean everything. If you got holes in your jeans, she would patch them up; and if you didn't like the look of patchwork, she would take a different part of your jeans off to patch so it didn't look like patchwork.

    I owe a lot to my grandma for teaching me such a useful skill. Being able to mend clothing provides me with the skill set to be more sustainable with my clothing.

    Try to learn something new that assists you in living a more sustainable life!
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/05/2023 11:36 AM
    I encourage each of you to go for a walk in the morning. This does not have to be a long walk, but it forces you to wake up, think about what you're going to accomplish that day, and be mindful of your previous day, and the day to come.
    Read More
  • Abigail Berlyn's avatar
    Abigail Berlyn 4/03/2023 7:12 AM
    I started my morning by exploring my neighborhood with my dog on a 30-minute walk. During that walk, I focused on being mindful/present with my surroundings and not listening to music, a podcast, or something else that would block the outdoor sound from me.

    I encourage you to get outside and listen to everything around you. Don't continue to block out the sounds of nature around you!
    Read More