Emily Horak

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 spend 60 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.

I will use the resource links provided below and spend 60 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

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

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

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.

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

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.

I will disconnect from my email when not at work or school, using my personal time for endeavors that help me live out my values.

I will replace 30 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

I will spend 20 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

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

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home or dorm room.

I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 10 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)

I will spend 5 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and my natural surroundings.

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

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.