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Welcome to Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals expert in no time!

Earth Month Ecochallenge 2023: Sustainable Development Goals
April 1 - April 30, 2023
Anne Wulffraat's avatar

Anne Wulffraat

Think Green

"By working together, we can improve our knowledge and out interaction with nature while making a greater positive impact. I spend a great deal of time outdoors, which always rejuvenates my desire to assist Mother Nature. Never give up caring. Every little bit we do helps."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 909 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2,885
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    59
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    580
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    135
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    2,885
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    625
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    2.0
    conversations
    with people

Anne's actions

Health & Equity

Practice Mindfulness

SDG 3

I will spend 15 minutes each day practicing mindfulness.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Basic Needs & Security

Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement

SDG 6

I will spend 30 minutes learning about water justice in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Basic Needs & Security

Reduce Animal Product Consumption

SDG 2

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.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

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 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Equity

Spend Time Outside

SDG 3

I will replace 60 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

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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Economy & Communities

Replace Manual Thermostats

SDG 7, 9, 12

I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Climate & Ecosystems

Watch a Documentary About Climate Change or Nature

SDG 13, 14, 15

I will watch 1 documentaries about climate change.

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 the tastiest meatless or vegan meal you ever had or had recently? Did you make it? Can you share a recipe?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/30/2023 7:26 AM
    I've eaten predominantly vegetarian meals for a long time. Doing so more intentionally, and learning that cheese (I've such a weakness for cheese!) has many of the same impacts as beef production, has forced me to really reconsider my diet. I'm not vegan, but will keep working on it.
    Read More
  • Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/30/2023 7:23 AM
    I am confident I'll continue these actions once the eco challenge is done.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Economy & Communities
    How do you anticipate replacing your thermostats for programmable ones will positively impact your life?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/28/2023 3:43 AM
    I replaced Honeywell programmable thermostats with Honeywell programmable thermostats with an android phone app. It's a world of new flexibility. I can go out for an hour and adjust the temp down and then back up as I near home, saving some energy without any impact to me at all.
    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?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/27/2023 9:57 AM
    Taking a break from work allows me time for a mental reset. I come back more focused and productive. Additionally, it allows me to undertake small efforts during that break that allow me to focus on other things that matter. I feel more well-balanced and productive.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Economy & Communities
    What was one nonprofit organization that was exciting to learn about?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/25/2023 1:37 PM
    It was wonderful to work with both the Maine Farmland Trust and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners about their work with Maine farmers to mitigate impacts of PFAS in farms' soils. I worked with both orgs to bring an educational session to the bank. While the news about PFAS is terrible, it's wonderful to see great people doing hard work to help others.
    Read More
  • Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/22/2023 1:57 PM
    This April has been very warm in Northern Vermont, reminding me of the earth's fragility while simultaneously giving me more time to appreciate the outdoors.
    Read More
  • Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/21/2023 8:11 AM
    I'm more excited for Earth Day than ever thanks to this challenge! <3
    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?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/19/2023 3:35 AM
    I'm looking into getting a rain barrel for my gardening needs.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health & Equity
    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?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/18/2023 10:58 AM
    I practice mindfulness outdoors and often find it bittersweet thinking about the changes we're seeing in this planet I love. This month I've been trying to think about ways to make a positive difference: legislators I can contact or changes I can make in my home.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Basic Needs & Security
    Who is affected by water insecurity in your region? How are they affected? How are you impacted by water insecurity?
    Anne Wulffraat's avatar
    Anne Wulffraat 4/18/2023 10:55 AM
    Vermont is fortunate to have enough rainfall to support its inhabitants, but there are some cases where wells have gone dry, and VT has been impacted by drought the past several years.
    Read More