Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Mehdi Firozvi

EJ and Ecospirituality, Spring 2026

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
830 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

8.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

131

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

91

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

726

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

65

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

650

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

766

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

3.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

10

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

15

minutes

spent learning

Mehdi's actions

Health

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Express Gratitude and Random Acts of Kindness

Small acts of kindness and gratitude can brighten someone's day and create a positive ripple effect. I will express gratitude to people or perform random acts of kindness to spread joy and connection.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Enjoy Fruits and Veggies

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 4 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.

COMPLETED 20
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 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn Off Lights and Electronics

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Reduce refined sugar

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Take 5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottles from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 7 hours of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore a New Trail or Nature Walk

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prepare Food

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Feedback Survey

Take the Campus Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

Tell us what you thought! Take a short survey about your experience to help us improve future events. It only takes a few minutes — and when you complete the survey, you'll earn points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Make Sure You are Registered to Vote

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Think About My 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

Water

Fix Leaky Faucets

I will report or fix leaking faucets in my dorm, apartment, or shared space to prevent water waste—up to 9 gallons (34 L) per day per faucet.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Share Rides with Others

I will sign up for a car-sharing service or coordinate ride shares with roommates, classmates, or campus peers to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 8 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch To Cold Water for Laundry

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

Community

Engage In Active Listening

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:47 PM
I would want to start preserving foods that feel tied to the spring/summer. I like the idea of strawberries or peaches to maybe make some kind of homemade jam, or to use on toast or in yogurt. I would also keep tomatoes, since I like adding them to pasta.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity

What are your top 3-5 core values? How did you narrow it down to those as being your core values?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:44 PM
It was hard coming up with my core values, but I have three that I think give a solid understanding of my goals: having integrity, committing to growth, and being loyal. I narrowed it down to these by thinking about the moments when I felt proudest of myself. The things that showed up when I thought about these moments pointed to what actually matters to me.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

If you live in a dorm or shared space, how can you encourage water-saving habits with roommates or facilities staff?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:41 PM
I should let my roommates know about taking shorter showers and not letting the faucet run while they are brushing their teeth. One of my roommates knows I have been participating in this challenge, and has slowly started taking these actions himself.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:40 PM
By spending more time outdoors, you actually start to notice where you are instead of just passing through it. I started picking up on the small things, like the way light hits certain buildings, what trees are native to the area, and by doing this, the area around me started feeling familiar and personal rather than just a place.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

Do you know where your campus or community gets its water? If not, how could you find out?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:22 PM
From my understanding, Georgetown gets its water from DC's public water system, and gets its drinking water from the Potomac River. To get more information on this, I am sure there is information on Georgetown's website, and I could also look into the local water utility for the city.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:17 PM
The biggest barriers are convenience and being forgetful. In other words, if I don't have a reusable bottle with me, it is way easier to grab a plastic one. I think in order to make this a permanent habit for me, I should keep a reusable bottle in my room and backpack at all times. I think by refilling it at the same times everyday, it could start to develop into a routine. I think over time, it would start to feel normal instead of something I have to think about.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health

How did expressing gratitude or performing acts of kindness impact you and the recipient? Did anything surprise you about your experience?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/27/2026 7:14 PM
By expressing gratitude and performing random acts of kindness, I think myself and the recipient felt good about themselves. When I actually made the effort to say thank you or do something small for someone, I wasn't stuck in my head as much, and it kind of forced me to slow down and notice the people around me instead of just moving through the day. What surprised me was how much it helped me too. I thought I was just doing something nice for someone else, but it honestly boosted my own mood.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water

What did you notice about your habits or routines when limiting your showers to five minutes? What changes—if any—do you think you’ll continue long-term?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/26/2026 2:28 PM
When I started limiting my showers to five minutes, it made me realize how automatic and unintentional a lot of my routines are. I used to always think of showers as downtime, especially after the gym or before going out. Once I started limiting myself to five minutes in the shower, I noticed that most of the time I never needed extra minutes, it was more of just a habit. In the long-term, I am definetely going to be more mindful about my shower length, and turning off the water when I do not need it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health

Before you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now? What was the most challenging part of reducing refined sugar, and how did you overcome it?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/26/2026 2:10 PM
I have never thought of myself as someone who is addicted to sugar or even consumed it that much in the first place, but after starting this challenge, I found it hard trying to refrain myself from getting desserts, juices, and flavored coffee. After stopping myself from eating these, it was difficult at first, but now I find myself much more energized throughout the day, and I do not find myself getting any mid-day crashes. One of the biggest things I did to overcome this was drinking a glass of water, whenever I got sugar cravings.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health

Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What changes did you make to improve your sleep, and how did they affect your day?
Mehdi Firozvi 2/23/2026 8:09 PM
While in school, I typically aim for at least seven hours of sleep a day. I would like to shift my sleep patterns by getting ready for bed earlier and avoiding using my phone for an hour before bed. Over the course of the challenge, I think my sleep quality has improved significantly. I stopped using my phone before bed, and when in the library, I started using blue-light glasses to prevent blue light from disrupting my melatonin production.

After making these simple changes, I not only found it much easier to fall asleep, but I found myself feeling much less groggy in the morning and more energized throughout the day.

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- Savannah Samano 2/24/2026 7:38 AM
  Yes! I've found it easier to just try to stay off my phone anytime I'm in bed so that my bed doesn't become designated screen time and I don't get that "routine" itch to use my phone.
  
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