Spend 15 minutes learning about the Emerge Program at WSP. Emerge is WSP's strategic alliance program that seeks early-stage companies with novel solutions as strategic partners. Partners get access to in-house subject matter experts, an opportunity to pilot their products/technologies with WSP during the evaluation phase and have access to our client base. Emerge propels our partners by accelerating the product/technology adoption. Having recently launched our 4th cohort, Emerge has accelerated a number of companies whose mission aligns with UN SDGs. • Olokun Minerals • ecoSPEARS • PLAEX Building Systems
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Education & Livelihood
WSP - Climate Solutions Plan and Accelerator Course
Read WSP’s Climate Transition Plan, which details how we plan to reduce GHG emissions. We began implementation of our Low-Carbon Supplier Engagement Plan in January. Learn more about it by listening to our supplier kickoff webinar. Increase your climate literacy, take the 2-part Climate Solutions Accelerator Course on the WSP My Learning Platform.
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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.
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Climate & Ecosystems
WSP - Electrify & Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Whether you rent or own, sign up with YellowTin to understand costs, savings and incentives for everything needed to transition to an all-electric home and car. Us the link below to register and get these one time action points.
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Education & Livelihood
WSP - Create a Green Team in your office
Make a commitment to have a kick-off Green Team meeting to brainstorm for ideas on what your office will want to accomplish. Coordinate with your office director and DPN to facilitate.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Support Local Pollinators
SDG 15
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.
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Climate & Ecosystems
Collect Litter on a Plog / Plalk
SDG 15
Each day, I will go on a plog or plalk for 20 minutes and collect 20 items of litter.
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DAILY ACTIONS
Health & Equity
Practice Mindfulness
SDG 3
I will spend 10 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.
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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.
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ONE-TIME ACTION
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.
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DAILY ACTIONS
Basic Needs & Security
Watch a Documentary About Food, Water, or Basic Needs
SDG 6
I will watch 1 documentaries about food, water, or basic needs.
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Climate & Ecosystems
Environmental Impacts of Plastic on Ocean Life
My company created a presentation with guests to discuss the negative role plastic waste plays in our oceans.
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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?
Today, we participated in a tree planting palooza at one of our metro parks. Unbeknownst to us, it was geared more toward little kids, but we had fun joining in :)
It was nice knowing you are adding something beautiful to nature and gives you this connected feeling to that tree. Hopefully it will survive and thrive!
I would like to get my rain spout re-attached to the rain barrel this year. I think that would be a great way to water my outside flowers. I already take short showers, use efficient dishwashers and clothes washers, turn the water off in between rinsing hand washed dishes, only wash my car a few times a year. I think I do a lot to minimally use water, but I believe there is always room for improvement.
I donated money to the local food bank. The money can go further than actual goods donated through the suppliers and match programs they have. I strongly believe in reducing hunger and creating food security. I feel this is my way to support organizations that understand best how to help those who really need the support.
I made a vegan broccoli cheese soup and focaccia! It was very tasty. The addition of the bread is necessary as there isn't much substance to the soup, and that alone may not feel filling, but it was really good and something I intend to continue making.
What was it like to practice mindfulness? If this is a practice for you already, what was something new you understood in practicing during Earth Month?
I find practicing mindfulness very challenging. My brain wanders and I constantly need to reign it in. I think with consistent practice, I will get to a point where I can truly be present through the duration of my practice.
I think an implication is a decline in care for the Earth. If you are inside and on a screen a lot, I think you miss the beauty around you, and it creates a detachment to the Earth. It's easy to see pretty documentaries, appreciate those, and believe the Earth is amazing. But most of us will never see the earth in that light in person. I think if we spend more time outside in our yards and parks, we will appreciate what we can see and take better care of it.
What was your experience like plogging, or engaging in another way to collect litter while being outside? Was there any item you collected that was unusual that you found?
I spent a lot of time this weekend participating in Earth Day clean ups. I worked with a group that cleaned up an abandoned homeless camp. There was an enormous amount of litter left. It was as much sad as it was angering that people have to live this way and then will just leave the propane containers, bottles, batteries, tents, blankets, etc. there. I hope society can do better and give these people the help they need to prevent living in these situations and create a cleaner earth.
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?
I watched an internal presentation about our food choices and how they impact the earth in terms of water usage and carbon emissions. I think the most important thing is to understand a drastic life change all at once isn't necessary. Small steps can make a big impact over time and help you get to that drastic change without making it shocking to you.
Davina Menchaca 4/30/2023 8:45 AM
Pieter de Bod 4/29/2023 8:24 PM