Jennifer Hoover

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 organize one of Ecochallenge.org's discussion courses, such as Reconnecting with Earth, with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

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

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 10 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

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.

I will organize Ecochallenge.org's discussion course 'A Different Way: Living Simply in a Complex World' with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

I will create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

I will save up to 15 gal (56 L) of water a day or 450 gal (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

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.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

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

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 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.

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.

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

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

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will spend 30 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and my natural surroundings.