Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Mackenzie Harris

Sustainable Sealions

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
2,122 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

155

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

73

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

1,600

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

2,850

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

41

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1,680

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1,335

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

2,310

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

35

minutes

spent learning

Mackenzie's actions

Energy

Turn it off

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

COMPLETED 35
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES

I will spend 30 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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 66
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 73
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Host A Watch Party

I will host a watch party to screen a documentary about an issue that matters to me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 52
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 66
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 82
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

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

COMPLETED 68
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 45 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 61
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 84
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
Community Host A Watch Party

What did you learn about in the documentary you watched? How did it make you feel?

Mackenzie Harris 12/01/2023 11:44 AM

I learned about different sustainable farming practices and community involved sustainability. When I think of sustainability, it is hard for me to feel like what I am doing is making a huge difference or what ways I can practice sustainability. Watching this documentary gave me new ideas and helped me realize that being in community with people who also have sustainability habits can help a lot.

Read More
- Julianna Porter 12/01/2023 6:07 PM
  
  That sounds really interesting. I also have that struggle of not feeling like we can do much so it's always good to look on the bright side and focus on the little things.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

Father Thomas Berry says, "... our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." What is your response to Berry's assertion?

Mackenzie Harris 12/01/2023 11:42 AM

I have always felt connected to sunsets. They are my favorite part of the day and have always been one of the most beautiful aspects of nature to me. I would consider sitting and watching the sunset as a religious experience because I get to sit in the silence and reflect on my day while looking at the beauty of the sun setting on the day.

Read More
- Genesee Hernandez 3/25/2024 9:50 PM
  
  I love watching sunrises daily!!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Mackenzie Harris 10/12/2023 1:27 PM

Walking through neighborhoods around me helps me to appreciate the views and the area that I live in. Driving through, I feel like everything rushes by and I see views here and there but I don't have the time to stop and fully appreciate them.

Read More
- Emily Nies 10/12/2023 4:29 PM
  
  Going on daily walks encourages me to say hello to my neighbors each morning and get my dog some exercise before I have to commute to class. We like to feel like we are a part of the earth, not just living on it.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

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

Mackenzie Harris 9/27/2023 7:33 PM

Some other easy things I could do to help save energy is not using my lights during the day and unplugging appliances when I am not using them.

Read More
- Emily Nies 10/13/2023 10:39 AM
  
  I’ve gotten into the habit of using my gas stove to cook or reheat meals that I would usually use the microwave for. It takes a little longer, but it conserves much more energy.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

Mackenzie Harris 9/27/2023 5:19 PM

Having meat was seen as a luxury for a really long time, and still is. Meat has since become a huge part of our diet and people use it as the main part of dish instead of a side or garnish. Eating more meat means that we need more factory farmed animals which are both horrible for our planet and the people who live near them and who work with them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

Mackenzie Harris 9/26/2023 10:13 PM

When I practice eating mindfully, I notice that it forces me to slow down and just enjoy the food I am eating. It also allows me to have more meaningful and frequent conversations with friends.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Mackenzie Harris 9/26/2023 10:10 PM

By practicing gratitude, I feel more motivated to work for a better world because of the things I am grateful for. I want a better world so that I can enjoy a clean ocean and lush forests and I want a better world for my friends and family to live in.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Less Screen Time

What did you notice in implementing this challenge? Was it hard to choose other activities over screen time? How did you decide to spend your time?

Mackenzie Harris 9/26/2023 7:55 AM

This challenge has taught me the importance of taking time for myself. It is really hard sometimes during the busy day to find time to go outside and be without my phone or working on homework, but I have come to really value this time without electronics. I have been spending most of my time reading outside or going to the beach.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Mackenzie Harris 9/25/2023 11:59 PM

When I find myself in those situations I most the time just carry things in my hands. I can put my reusable bags in my car so that I remember to grab them when I leave for the store.

Read More