Ecochallenge.org

The People's Ecochallenge

October 6 - October 27, 2021

Sean Benson

KEEN HQ

"Helping to create a more sustainable planet one action at a time"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
935 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

15

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

1.0

locally sourced meal

consumed
UP TO

1,080

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

370

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

215

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved

Sean's actions

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

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

Health

Forgiveness

Do at Home

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn About Trans, Femme, and Nonbinary Experiences

Do at Home

I will spend 180 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Invite a Friend to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of their Household

Do at Home

Individual actions are important, but people and organizations working together can make a real impact. I will share a carbon calculator with a friend and invite them to calculate the carbon footprint of their household.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minutes practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation to nurture love and compassion for myself and others.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

Do at Home

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 15
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

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

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

De-Clutter My Home

Do at Home

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

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Work-Life Balance

Do at Home

I will not work more than 8 hour days each day to practice work-life balance.

COMPLETED 22
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

Health

Go Get a Check Up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

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

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Joyful Movement

Do at Home

I will spend 45 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

COMPLETED 22
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?

Sean Benson 10/26/2021 5:25 PM

My ecochallenge has been going great! It feels great to contribute to and support my community, as well as carve out time for myself. My daily actions have benefitted both my mental and physical health, which is awesome! I have learned tons about various topics that have been insightful and have expanded my world views.

Read More
Sean Benson 10/22/2021 10:39 PM

The people's ecochallenge is going wonderfully! The daily actions are building great habits that I intend to carry on beyond these 22 days. It's amazing to me how much I've learned throughout these actions, and what a difference we can make with only a few small changes!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Core Values

What are your top 3-5 core values? How did you narrow it down to those as being your core values?

Sean Benson 10/21/2021 6:20 PM

My top core values are honesty, confidence, motivation, and likability. I narrowed it down to these by considering how I'm personally impacted when each of those is lacking, and these 4 are the most significant.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Forgiveness

How has the process of forgiving, or contemplating forgiveness, benefited you?

Sean Benson 10/21/2021 6:04 PM

The process of forgiving has allowed me to let go of negative feelings and experiences from the past which impact some of my current relationships. By working with my counselor, I have been able to move forward and recognize what I have learned and how I can grow, rather than having resentment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Calculate My Water Footprint

How does your view on water consumption change after completing this action?

Sean Benson 10/13/2021 5:31 PM

As I went through the questions, it was quickly apparent that I'm not always mindful of my water consumption - which grows quickly when considering my entire household! What was most shocking is that our consumption was average, which is insane considering how many households there are! I need to be more diligent in watching water consumption in my house, as easy changes can make a big difference!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Sean Benson 10/13/2021 5:28 PM

What stands in my way of making this a habit is remembering to bring my mug to the car, or when I get drinks that were unplanned. It feels great to make a difference by doing something so simple - I just need to plan better!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy From a Farmers Market

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

Sean Benson 10/10/2021 1:38 PM

Going to my local farmers market or small businesses more consistently for locally sourced foods.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home

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

Sean Benson 10/09/2021 11:25 PM

Being more thoughtful about items that I need in my life versus wants. Planning my purchases rather than being spontaneous. Stop caving in to Target.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Go Paperless

Reducing your paper mail can reduce mental clutter as well as physical waste -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?

Sean Benson 10/08/2021 9:53 PM

It makes me feel like I'm having an impact! I also love that I will be shredding less. Next is to reduce other items that go into recycling - or even garbage!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Go Get a Check Up

How do you practice self care?

Sean Benson 10/08/2021 9:45 PM

I practice self care by listening to my body - whether it's getting active or relaxing, getting proper sleep, or eating on a proper schedule. I also focus on my mental health and go to counseling regularly, which has helped me in many different facets of my life.

Read More