Keysha Patel

What can lack of access to nutritious food affect a community? How can having access to nutritious food help a community become more resilient?

I will spend 12 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 enjoy 4 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

I will enjoy 4 meatless meal(s) and/or 4 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

I will start a recycling program at my workplace, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will spend 2 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 90 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.

I will sign up for a car-sharing service or organize car sharing with my neighbors or classmates to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and POC-majority neighborhoods. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

I will make sure I’m registered to vote. While I’m at it, I’ll sign up to help others register too!

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.

I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided when I have to print documents.