Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge 2021

April 1 - April 21, 2021

William Bechtel

Carlisle HERD

"Develop habits that are good for both me and the planet and to set an example for those around me. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,111 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

20

hours

volunteered
UP TO

5.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

7.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

1,055

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

40

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

415

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

57

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

11

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

16

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

11

more servings

of fruits and vegetables

William's actions

Nature

Join An Outdoor Project

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Take Control

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Joyful Movement

I will spend 30 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn it off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Prevent Recycling Contamination

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home or dorm room.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 10 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 10 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and my natural surroundings.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Online Energy Audit

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Join a Local CSA

I will sign up for a local CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Water Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Where are your nearest natural bodies of water? How might they be affected by runoff?

William Bechtel 4/21/2021 5:15 AM

The nearest body of water to me is Mountain Creek. I’ve seen runoff from the nearby quarry discolor the creek. That can’t be good for the health of the stream.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Prevent Recycling Contamination

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

William Bechtel 4/21/2021 5:13 AM

I learned that Home Depot and Lowe’s will take rechargeable batteries for recycling. But, you must wrap each battery individually so prevent they shorting out and starting a fire.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more unnecessary things in the future?

William Bechtel 4/21/2021 5:11 AM

Stop watching ads on TV. They make you think happiness comes from a new trinket. And, I always ask myself if what I’m considering is a want or a need. Buy only what you need.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Meditate

What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

William Bechtel 4/21/2021 5:08 AM

I know meditation helps focus the mind and it’s a practice I should do more often. I try to reflect on my gratitude for the many wonderful people and things in my life.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Explore My Area

How might spending more time outdoors enhance your brainpower?

William Bechtel 4/21/2021 5:06 AM

Being outside and exercising releases endorphins that makes me feel good. It clears my head and helps me be more productive.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Join An Outdoor Project

How well do you know the area you stay in -- whether your hometown or your campus community? In what ways is a deep knowledge of your surroundings -- known as a 'sense of place' -- important to you?

William Bechtel 4/20/2021 7:36 AM

I know the area near me pretty well. I think I know the trails of Michaux State Forest better than the streets of Carlisle, but both feel like home.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Practice Gratitude for Earth

Kathleen Dean Moore says that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation. Do you agree? How can we cultivate a sense of gratitude as individuals, and as a society?

William Bechtel 4/20/2021 7:30 AM

I do agree that gratitude leads to moral obligation. I’m so thankful for the wild places around me and that I’m healthy enough to enjoy them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Joyful Movement

What's your favorite activity(ies) in which you experience joy while being active and moving?

William Bechtel 4/20/2021 7:29 AM

I’m an ultra runner. My favorite thing is trail running through the forests near my house.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health More Fruits and Veggies

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?

William Bechtel 4/20/2021 7:28 AM

Eating lower on the food chain is healthier for both me and the planet. Vegetables require less land and water to produce and provide better nutrients for me.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Take Control

How do environmental health, community health, and your personal health intersect?

William Bechtel 4/20/2021 7:27 AM

If the environment isn’t healthy, it is much harder for me to be healthy. I get most of my exercise outdoors.

Read More