Lauren Roche

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

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.

I will watch 1 documentaries about food, water, or basic needs.

Each day, I will spend 10 minutes exploring a new area around my neighborhood (e.g., park, water body, nearby trail, community garden, green space, etc.).

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).

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

I will watch 1 documentaries about climate change.

Each day, I will go on a plog or plalk for 15 minutes and collect 1 items of litter.

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.

I will volunteer 2 hours in my community.

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.

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

I will watch 1 documentaries about education or work.

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.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally). As an example, a plane from New York to Los Angeles (~2,450 miles) generates about 65 tons of carbon dioxide.

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.