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October 6 - October 27, 2021
Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar

Mahsha Ahanchian

GICW- OPERATION -SEM Energy Team

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 980 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    5.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    3.0
    documentaries
    watched
  • UP TO
    2.0
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    energy audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    0.0
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    7.0
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    485
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    180
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    742
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    262
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    3.3
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Mahsha's actions

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Do at Home

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Research Impact Investing

Do at Home

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and determine if it is right for me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Core Values

Do at Home

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Connect with a Nonprofit

Do at Home

I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Support Native Communities

Do at Home

I will use the resource links provided and spend 60 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

Do at Home

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Online Energy Audit

Do at Home

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

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

Do at Home

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

Do at Home

I will spend 60 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Do at Home

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

Do at Home

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Organize a Course

Do at Home

I will organize one of Ecochallenge.org's discussion courses, such as 'Reconnecting with Earth', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Forage for My Food

Do at Home

I will use the resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless

Do at Home

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Engage In Active Listening

Do at Home

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 3 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Watch a Documentary about Racial Injustice

Do at Home

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Carry my Trash

Do at Home

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore My Area

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Family Game Hour

Do at Home

I will spend quality time with family and friends by playing low-tech game(s) and/or through the spirit of imagination.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

Do at Home

I will limit my social media use to once each day reducing my daily use by 60 minute(s)

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

Do at Home

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Calculate My Water Footprint

Do at Home

I will calculate my Water Footprint to learn about my tap water use and "virtual water" use.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Calculate the Carbon Footprint of my Household

Do at Home

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Power Saving Settings

Do at Home

I will learn about and update the power saving settings on my computer to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

Do at Home

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn It Off

Do at Home

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

COMPLETED 21
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
    Nature Organize a Course
    What would you like to discuss about nature, the environment, or sustainability with your family, friends, coworkers or classmates?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 2:42 PM
    1. By introducing them to your favorite eco-friendly products and services. 
    2. Making recycling easier for them.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Connect with a Nonprofit
    What inspires you to act toward a more sustainable community?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 2:39 PM
    Sustainable community infrastructure is vital for creating and maintaining strong communities. They act as a catalyst for expanding social and economic opportunities, which in turn uplift the quality of life.

  • Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 2:32 PM
    Until the next eco-challenge, I hope to continue what I've started and even learn and try new things.

  • Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:53 PM
    Last Day of the Challenge.
    Please check your accounts and finalize your achievements. Thank you for the amazing job you did.

  • Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:45 PM
    To all GICW Participants, "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make,"  (Jane Goodall).  You have all made a difference by choosing to participate in this eco-challenge.

  • Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:44 PM
    "What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another." – Mahatma Gandhi
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Explore My Area
    How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:41 PM
     
     I’ve always found that hiking in nature makes me feel happier, and of course decreased stress may be a big part of the reason why.
     It makes us more connected to each other and the world at large. Stronger feelings of belonging give both adults and children more reason to protect the world in which they live. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
    How does food sovereignty address the complex transition from localized food systems to modern global food systems?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:35 PM
    Food sovereignty recognizes that local territories often cross geopolitical borders and ensures the rights of local communities to inhabit and use their territories; it promotes positive interaction between geographically diverse food providers to resolve conflict; and it rejects the privatization of natural resources.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Family Game Hour
    How does being playful with others enrich your life?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:32 PM
     Play can also stimulate your imagination, Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Personal Waste Audit
    Why is it often difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places?

    Mahsha Ahanchian's avatar
    Mahsha Ahanchian 10/27/2021 1:31 PM
     Key issues contributing to food waste include supermarket promotions and packaging, a diminished cultural focus on the preparation and management of food and household size.