Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Maclean Abbott (102)

YCP Spring 2024

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
868 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

265

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

61

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

0.0

donations

made
UP TO

3,490

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

61

people

helped
UP TO

0.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

7.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

12

hours

volunteered
UP TO

34

neighbors

met
UP TO

360

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

265

minutes

spent learning

Maclean's actions

Energy

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 60 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Visit A Local Farm

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Connect with a Nonprofit

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

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Core Values

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

Nature

Explore My Area

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

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

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

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

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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Engage In Active Listening

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 5 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Joyful Movement

I will spend 60 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 60 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Meet My Neighbors

I will meet 1 new neighbor(s) each day.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Help Others

I will offer to help 2 person(s) who are in need each day.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Support A Sharing Economy

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, neighbors, or classmates.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Heat and Cool Naturally

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 133 lbs of CO2 a month and 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Happiness

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

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
Waste Find Local Recycling Depots

Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors, including market demand for recyclables. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/21/2024 5:48 PM

There is a project from CRDC Global, which takes any end of life plastic and turns it into a cement structural additive. This additive is called resin8 and is a breakthrough recycling method. They have two plants, the first was built in Costa Rica and the second is right here in York, PA. I highly suggest taking part, and it is not too much of a commitment. Feel free to learn more here at, https://crdc.global/resin8/

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Visit A Local Farm

How do our current food growing and manufacturing processes affect our future and the future of Earth?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/21/2024 5:42 PM

Much of our food growing in non-sustainable and improper. Most industrial farms, which are subsidized by the government solely grow corn, soy, and wheat. These three mega crops are being planted continuously in the same soil without proper rotation. This means that many of the essential nutrients in the soil for the growing of these crops will become scarce and eventually unable to grow. Not only this, but the entire format of soy, wheat, and corn being the primary products for consumption is outdated and based off of "bang for your buck" during WWII. These grains, starches, and carb dense crops are not healthy for overconsumption and are contributing to the obesity crisis in the US.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Learn About Renewable Energy

What inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/21/2024 5:36 PM

As an engineer I have external interest in ulterior energy. This includes hydro, wind, and solar power. Not only am I interested in understanding their function, but also in maximizing their potential. It is possible for these innovations to change and improve every day life, and I want to help make it happen.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Connect with a Nonprofit

What inspires you to act toward a more sustainable community?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/21/2024 5:33 PM

I volunteer with HOBY (Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Program), and I see the tenacity in the young students and find inspiration in wanting to nurture their ability to create change and take action.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/09/2024 8:31 AM

I found that not traveling by plane allowed for a lot more adventurous and fulfilling stops along the way. Instead of just flying up north to see the eclipse and visit Niagara Falls, we were able to stop at 3 other state parks and see many other waterfalls. We also were able to hike and spend more time together and in nature.

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- Kenneth Slaysman 4/13/2024 1:59 PM
  
  Very nice!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Try a New Way to Prep

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/09/2024 8:23 AM

My family often pickles red beets and cans other homegrown vegetables like corn, pumpkin, and beans. It is a fun tradition that I hadn't previously engaged with at a level to understand the process before. I found it to actually be quite intriguing.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Engage In Active Listening

What was it like to actively listen to someone? How did both people and the conversation(s) benefit from active listening?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/03/2024 5:06 PM

Actively listening to someone involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what they are saying. It requires not only hearing the words but also paying attention to the more subtle things, like emotions or body language. It requires a lot of effort, but has a rewarding feeling in the end. I was able to better understand what people were going through and what they were truly sharing. I've built trust and strengthened my relationships. It made me very self-aware as well, even though I was paying attention to someone else, and helped practice empathy.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/03/2024 4:49 PM

Cold showers and minimalize house light usage.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Joyful Movement

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

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/02/2024 8:14 AM

I play a lot of soccer and tennis. I can enjoy myself and play the sports I love while also keeping a healthy mentality and physical lifestyle.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Maclean Abbott (102) 4/02/2024 8:12 AM

I often spend the majority of my exercise time enjoying the company of my friends. Whether it is planning a kickaround, enjoying our PE course, or going to the gym, I find that the comradery shared takes the serious edge of exercise. This makes it much more enjoyable.

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