Samantha G
""All cannot be lost when there is still so much being found" - Lemony Snicket"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 165 THIS WEEK
- 1,141 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO25pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO765minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO40plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO92gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO1,069minutesspent exercising
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UP TO1,532minutesof additional sleep
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UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
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UP TO4.0conversationswith people
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UP TO420minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO60minutesspent learning
Samantha's actions
Energy
Complete an Online Energy Audit
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Feedback Survey
Take the UFV Ecochallenge Feedback Survey
Share your feedback and experience with the Office of Sustainability! Complete by October 31st
Feedback Survey
Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment
Complete the UFV Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment by October 15th
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 per day.
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.
Waste
Repair a Broken Item
I will repair at least one item that is broken, but is repairable. This might be items like garden tools, sewing machine, small appliances, electronics, clothing, and more.
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.
Food
Try a New Way to Prepare Food
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Health
Engage in Joyful Movement
I will spend 10 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottles from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Waste
Complete a Personal Waste Audit
I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will share a photo and reflection of this action on the feed.
Waste
Visit a Local Recycling Center, Landfill, or Transfer Station
Seeing where waste goes can change how we think about what we throw away. I will visit a local facility to learn more about the waste stream in my community and share what I learn with others and in the feed.
Simplicity
Limit Social Media Use and Reflect About My Experience
I will limit my social media use to once per day and share the impact I see and reflections I have on the feed.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 5 minutes per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Energy
Use an Energy Meter to Monitor My Use
I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.
Waste
Launch a Recycling Program
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.
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 4 conversations.
Nature
Explore a New Trail or Nature Walk
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
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!
Health
Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep
Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 8 hours of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.
Simplicity
Reflect on My Needs Versus Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
Transportation
Stay on the Ground and Travel Differently
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (e.g., telepresence, vacation locally).
Community
Host A Watch Party
I will host a watch party to screen a documentary about an issue that matters to me.
Participant Feed
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteWhy is it often difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places?
Samantha G 10/23/2025 10:19 AMI think it has to do with the NIMBY or "out of sight, out of mind" logic. We don't consciously think about what goes into our purchase, especially if we're shopping online. We hit the "checkout" button, and then wait for it to show up at our door, but we don't think about the in-between, or even the before and after. -
Samantha G 10/15/2025 10:04 AMTook the nice weather today (and thinking about the upcoming days where it might not be so nice) as an opportunity to walk to work. My commute is about a kilometre and the crisp cool air woke me up! I'll be enjoying my walk home in the afternoon too, it'll be a lot warmer 🙂 -
Samantha G 10/14/2025 8:50 AMTemperatures are in the low single digits this morning. Brr! Time to keep a pair of gloves and a toque in my bag! -
Samantha G 10/13/2025 2:35 PMWe had a unexpected power outage at my house today. Makes me appreciate just how much we rely on electricity for even the smallest things in our daily life. -
Samantha G 10/12/2025 12:17 PMNow that the weather is changing and temps are cooling down, it means that the lovely flowers I had growing over the summer are not really blooming anymore. Time to clean up my garden! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealthWhat's your favorite activity(ies) in which you experience joy while being active and moving?
Samantha G 10/11/2025 4:54 PMI get a rush of endorphins when I'm at the gym! Strength training and cardio get my blood pumping and listening to fun, motivating music really helps! I always feel good after a workout! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteWhat did you learn from trying to improve recycling in your space? What changes or support would make it easier to succeed?
Samantha G 10/11/2025 4:52 PMWe started a wrapper recycling "program" in my workspace, and surprisingly, it has been a hit! Some have appreciated the fact that wrappers can be recycled, and have started it in their own homes! I think most of my colleagues are using it, but I think there's some that don't - either they don't care or they can't break the habit of putting wrappers in the trash. I think that's something that's going to happen - there's always going to be some who just don't care or are too stuck in their old ways. -
Samantha G 10/11/2025 4:40 PMGlad to see the rain today - good for the plants, and good for our aquifers! -
Samantha G 10/10/2025 10:07 AMFall is here! The leaves are changing, and this morning I saw a tractor pulling a trailer full of pumpkins down the road. It was like a scene out of a Hallmark movie! 🍂 -
Samantha G 10/09/2025 9:58 AMPut up the small bit of Halloween/fall decor I have yesterday. I've been using the same decor for the last few years, and I try to not purchase anything new. I'm thinking I might make some decorations (paper ghosts, maybe) to put in my windows!