Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals

April 1 - April 30, 2023

JR Jackson

Community Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,031 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

853

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

3.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

305

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

853

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

600

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

59

conversations

with people

JR's actions

Education & Livelihood

Watch a Documentary About Education or Work

SDG 4

I will watch 2 documentaries about education or work.

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG 3

I will spend 5 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Economy & Communities

Analyze Your Utility Bills

SDG 7

I spend 10 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

Health & Equity

Support Indigenous & First Nations Communities

SDG 10

I will spend 20 learning about the past and present indigenous communities in my regions and what I can do to be supportive.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Know Your Produce

SDG 2

I will become a savvy produce shopper when buying organic and non-organic items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG 3

I will replace 10 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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Make Cleaning Products

SDG 3

I will make a few homemade cleaning products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Watch a Documentary About Equity, Gender, Health, or Peace

SDG 3, 5, 10, 16

I will watch 2 documentaries about equity, gender, health, or peace.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Equity

Communicate Constructively

SDG 16

I will use the communication methods I read about to practice effective, compassionate, and nonviolent communication with someone I interact with regularly (i.e., my roommate, parents, co-worker, partner, classmates, or children).

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

JR Jackson 10/03/2023 7:51 PM
I joined the Eco Challenge - to continue to foster habits and continue to learn. I have done Eco Challenges for several years; its fun.

Read More
JR Jackson 4/30/2023 4:28 PM
It's been a good 30 days. Habit gained that will continue.

Read More
JR Jackson 4/23/2023 8:26 PM
I've learned a lot during this iteration of the Eco Challenge. I'm glad that I participated in this program and have utilized the tools and documentaries available. These tips will be used on going.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

Why is it important to honor native and indigenous peoples and cultures? What have you learned that is important to you? If you identify with or are a member of an indigenous group, how does your community practice sustainability?
JR Jackson 4/22/2023 8:58 PM
It's important to recognize the native/indigenous peoples who are the original stewards of the land. As a child, I was taught when fishing you only caught what you needed. It was frowned upon if took more than what you needed. Fishing was for food, not a sport. We're not native, however, my father taught us to have respect for the land and its people. You didn't pollute or talk nasty to people since the negativity went out into the universe and would make it way back to the mouth of the person who spoke and behaved poorly.
The city refuse department picks up trash and green materials (grass, leaves, etc,) weekly and recycling bi-weekly. They also have programs to change green lawns (which need a lot of water to stay green) into planting native plants. Instruction and discounts are given for native plants "green spaces."

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What was surprising about the ingredients in your cleaning supplies, personal care, and pet products?
JR Jackson 4/21/2023 11:19 PM
It was easy to make a cleaning solution for fruit. I had all of the ingredients and it was cheaper than buying a pre-made solution. Nothing was harmful or had a "shelf" life to use before it went bad.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What did you watch, and what was the most important thing you learned in the documentaries you watched? How does what you learned connect to your understanding of climate change and Earth Month?
JR Jackson 4/21/2023 11:17 PM
I watched "lost and found. It was about Rohingya families who left Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing and a man who tried to re-unite lost family members. They live in the largest refugee camp on the planet. I also watched "Still Human". It was about amputees, some by war and accidents (snake bite). Both documentaries focused on how people need to survive, thrive and provide. War and ethnic cleansing move people away from their homes with very little resources for continued survival. In many cases, entire families do not make it to safety. Kamal Hussein does what he can to reunite children with their parents. It's very heart breaking and I do not see an easy solution.
With the documentary "Still Human" Makur Diet lost his leg. He felt despair and depression until he was able to get a prosthetic leg. He was then able to give people hope by helping amputees receive a prosthetic. People could then provide for family and continue to be a member of society.
There are several factors with both documentaries. People striving to survive and family with little resources.

Read More
JR Jackson 4/08/2023 9:02 PM
I participated in the annual Eco Challenges several years ago. Each year I came back to the Eco challenge to learn, and to see how much I have progressed from the prior year. I enjoy the challenges, opportunity for additional education and increase positive habits.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Education & Livelihood

How does practicing a work-life balance create a more sustainable life for you? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?
JR Jackson 4/08/2023 8:53 PM
Having a work-life balance has many positive benefits. Work: working efficiently with positive results. Quality and quantity production. Less stress. Life: seeing the appreciating time outside of work and with family/friends. Better mental and physical health. Since we have started the 2023 challenge, I now spend more time outside of work and reduced overall stress.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health & Equity

What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time inside and on screens?
JR Jackson 4/08/2023 8:49 PM
Being outside, begins with observing nature, getting air, moving muscles, clearing the mind. Even if it's raining or snowing that time outside is good for the soul.

Read More
- Stefanie Bertuch 4/24/2023 12:37 AM
  Yes, and not only that. Actively experiencing the seasons and the environment gives you a much better sense of what it means to belong in this world and why it is important to preserve it.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Economy & Communities

What was the most interesting thing you learned from analyzing your utility bill? What are some ways you can save energy and water?
JR Jackson 4/05/2023 8:10 PM
I analyzed my Gas/Electric and Water/Sewer/Garbage Bills. The Water/Sewer/Garbage bills are pretty consistent; I did not have any overages. Gas usage (heat) was higher this period compared to a year ago. We're hoping the new furnace (energy efficient) will work more efficiently and bring savings. We use energy efficient light bulbs but can be better at turning off lights in areas with minimal usage.

Read More