Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2023

Mike Black

CLEAResult Consulting

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
406 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

100

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

120

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1.0

meatless or vegan meal

consumed
UP TO

140

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

5.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

120

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

60

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

8.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

5.0

items

repaired

Mike's actions

Education & Livelihood

NEW for 2023! Scavenger Hunt Bingo

Learn and explore your community by searching for Earth Month related items, BINGO-style. Open to all CLEAResult employees signed up for the EcoChallenge: Earn 100 bonus RecogNation points for completing a winning bingo! Participants who submit a winning bingo card as well as a photo of their team/individuals will be entered into a drawing for one of three rewards of 500 RecogNation points. Cards due May 5 to qualify for the points. Click on Learn More to download the bingo card and read more details.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG 3

I will spend 15 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Track My Purchases

SDG 10

Each day, I will track my purchases to identify my spending habits. This will allow me to see what purchases can be reduced.

COMPLETED 4
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

Basic Needs & Security

Take 5-Minute Or Less Showers

SDG 6

I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers. Tip: Use a timer to practice or count to 60 a few times.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG 3

I will replace 30 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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Make Cleaning Products

SDG 3

I will make a few homemade cleaning products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Calculate Your Water Footprint

SDG 6

I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Education & Livelihood

Work-Life Balance

SDG 8

During the workday, I will schedule time for daily breaks during work days to practice work-life balance.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Health & Equity

Donate Food

SDG 3, 10

I will find out what food programs are in my area and donate food and/or other items that they request.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Volunteer in My Community

SDG 1

I will volunteer 8 hours in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Online Energy Audit

SDG 7

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

Climate & Ecosystems

Calculate Your Carbon Impact

SDG 13

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how lifestyle changes could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Mend Clothing

SDG 9

I will mend clothing for myself, family or friends.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Replace Manual Thermostats

SDG 7, 9, 12

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Choose LED Bulbs

SDG 7

I will replace 3 incandescent light bulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Economy & Communities

Chat With A Nonprofit

SDG 12

I will have a conversation with one or more nonprofit organizations I want to be involved with.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What was one of your most memorable volunteer experiences, and why? What would you like to volunteer for next, and why?
Mike Black 4/24/2023 5:02 AM
I volunteered for an earth day clean up event. We were focused on the riverbank and trail next to it. I really appreciate this type of cleanup because in my area and probably many urban areas the rivers were always gross. There was runoff, and trash, and just a lot of pollution because we didn't take care of it. That has changed drastically in the last 10-15 years and now the river can be used for recreation again and I do use it regularly for kayaking.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

What was it like to mend your clothing? If you are skilled at mending, what tips do you have for others?
Mike Black 4/19/2023 5:04 AM
I have gotten smaller but all of my clothes stayed the same. I needed to update my dress clothes, but instead of buying new clothes since what I had was great quality and not worn much I had them tailored. Anything that couldn't be tailored to fit but was still in good condition was donated.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

How do you anticipate replacing your thermostats for programmable ones will positively impact your life?
Mike Black 4/18/2023 1:07 PM
While I have already done this at my house. This weekend I was able to install a Wifi Programmable thermostat at one of my best friends parents. They had wanted one for quite awhile, and after I offered to install it they went straight to the store to purchase one.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?
Mike Black 4/18/2023 1:05 PM
I thought I had changed all of my bulbs to LED and realized because of this that I had missed a few in my basement and in a few closets. Now I'm very sure I have them all changed.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Education & Livelihood

How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel?
Mike Black 4/12/2023 5:14 AM
I joined a neighborhood clean up event over the weekend. We filled multiple bags with trash while covering just a few a small neighborhood.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

Why do you donate food? How does it connect to your values?
Mike Black 4/05/2023 5:17 AM
I donate food because I can while others cannot. It's just the right thing to do. Hopefully if I have a situation in life where I can't at something I have someone that can help me so I can.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

What is one way you will reduce your water use? What is a practice you already have that helps you reduce your water use?
Mike Black 4/05/2023 5:15 AM
I have already put in low flow for all faucets, showerheads and toilets. I have a rain barrel to water my garden. I didn't realize how much water my food and my dogs food uses. While the dog won't be cut back on anything, I could add more not meat alternatives into my diet.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What was surprising about the ingredients in your cleaning supplies, personal care, and pet products?
Mike Black 4/05/2023 5:08 AM
I have an inside/outside lemon tree that actually produces lemons in Michigan. I had one last lemon that needed to be used soon and no plans at that time to cook with so I used it with sea salt to clean my stainless steel sinks. It worked amazing and no harsh chemicals all natural.

Read More
- Mike Black 4/06/2023 6:37 AM
  Growing lemons in Michigan is fairly easy in a large planter. It comes inside anytime it's below 50 otherwise it's on the patio. My tree is 3-4 years old and produced 11 lemons last year.
  
  Read More
- Martha Burnett 4/06/2023 6:27 AM
  Wow a lemon really cleaned up my stainless steel sink. Thanks for the tio
  
  Read More
- Erin Dennis 4/05/2023 6:47 AM
  Woah! That's amazing you're able to have a lemon tree in Michigan! I wouldn't have thought they were sturdy enough for the winters. And great idea about using them for cleaning!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Basic Needs & Security

With 5-minute or less showers reducing your water footprint, what do you plan to add next to your water conservation habits?
Mike Black 4/03/2023 11:06 AM
I recently installed a rainwater catch so I won't be using tap water for watering my salsa garden this summer.

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!
Mike Black 4/03/2023 11:00 AM
I made 'chicken' taco's for lunch today. The chicken was plant based and seasoned just like regular taco's. I didn't use cheese just a pico and a spicy guac. It was great. First time trying something like it.

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