lisa covais

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 1 trees in my community, public parks, or backyard.

Each day, I will spend 30 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

I will make 10 phone calls and/or send 2 emails to public officials to advocate for water habitat protection and clean up in my region.

I will watch 1 documentaries about equity, gender, health, or peace.

I will watch 1 documentaries about education or work.

I will spend 10 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

I will watch 1 documentaries about climate change.

I spend 15 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.

I will replace 15 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.

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

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

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will plant pollinator-friendly plants in my area to support local pollinators.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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

Studies show a grass lawn is water intensive and on average it require about 30 percent of a household’s water consumption. I will do one or more of the following actions in my yard or community to conserve water and improve habitat: plant indigenous plants, landscape with water-efficient plants, add mulching, replace a lawn, and/or use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will express my love and gratitude for our planet by writing a love letter, poem, song or taking a picture. I will share this in the Ecochallenge feed or on my social media.

For an upcoming vacation, I will spend 20 minutes planning out a staycation in my region. For reference, one several hour flight releases the equivalent of nearly 14% of the annual emissions from a car.