karla alcala

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 3 gallons (11 L) of water per faucet every day.

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

I will spend 15 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

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.

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

I will begin, or continue, on the journey of forgiving myself and/or other(s). I may do this through journaling, meditation, prayer, and/or talking with a licensed healthcare professional.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

I will spend 10 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

I will spend 10 minutes learning about food apartheid and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units with energy saving units.

I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.

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

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.

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

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

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

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

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.