Regan McGrath

I’ve learned to appreciate nature more through the practice gratitude for the earth challenge in the nature category. During my daily runs I’ve made sure to look around and appreciate my ability to explore the wilderness while running, which not all are privileged enough to do. I usually complain about the cold during the winter, the rain during the sprint, the heat during the summer, etc. I’ve tried to complain less about the current season and appreciate the benefits of that climate or the beauty of that season instead of constantly wishing for change. I have also been getting more sleep each night by having less daily screen time and focusing on healthy sleep. I think this has helped me fall asleep earlier and achieve better REM sleep. Focusing on my sleep reminded me of how circadian rhythms regulate sleep, and by spending so much time inside with artificial lighting or staring at a screen, I mess up my sleep schedule. Some of the benefits I have experienced from spending more time outside and less time on screens are improved sleep, mental restoration, and improved emotional well-being (Emily Swaim). The video “Real Food: The Best Diet” reminded me of all the artificial and processed foods society consumes. We have replaced whole, natural foods like eggs and sugar with processed variations. There are many processed organic foods that are advertised as being healthier versions of foods, but learning about the truth behind these processed foods has made me want to avoid consuming processed things. The article “Naturally” explains, “At a time when the whole food system feels somewhat precarious, I assume that a product labeled organic is more healthful and safer, more “wholesome,” though if I stop to think about it, I’m not exactly sure what that means” (Pollan). This resonates with me, as I often buy organic food assuming it is healthier. This taught me to read the labels and learn more about the ingredients in the food I’m consuming and what the process was to bring it to the grocery store shelves. Reducing consumption of processed goods can help lower GHG emissions caused by processing and shipping food. Instead, I can buy locally from farmers markets, especially for produce. “The history of New York, told through its trash” made me reflect on the things I throw out on a day to day basis. Looking further into what I consume, I realized how much plastic I throw away each week from eating a protein bar or buying a container of sushi at the bison. We learned only 2% of plastic is effectively recycled, so even when I recycle these items, it doesn’t erase the fact that I used plastic in the first place. Overall, all the challenges I’ve completed have taught me to be more mindful about my decisions and actions. So much of my daily life has become a habit and I don’t think twice about what I consume, throw out, or do. By bringing my impact on the environment to my attention I can live in a more sustainable way that can reduce my carbon footprint and work towards a more sustainable future.

For my daily food challenges I tried to eliminate food waste by being mindful when buying groceries and only purchasing what I thought I could eat over the next week or two. For 1 meal a day I eat in my room instead of in the caf, and this allows me to ensure I’m not wasting the food I buy. In week 4 we learned about the history of food and how processed and organic foods began to be advertised and sold in grocery stores. We learned about how the definition of organic foods shifted and no longer meant what it used to. “Naturally” states that “... The word ‘organic’—having entered the vocabulary of both agribusiness and government—is no longer these farmers’ to redefine” (Pollan). This shows how once larger corporations became involved in ‘organic’ food, its meaning changed. I also learned about food sovereignty and accessibility for my health and food one time challenges. I watched the documentary “Gather” and read articles concerning food security. I learned that “Food insecurity is associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and mental health disorders” (NIH). I also learned about how areas without food sovereignty had their food systems colonized and have become subject to processed food in grocery stores as the only affordable option, which leads to health issues. My community challenges were to help people in daily life and engage in active listening during conversations. I think that these challenges align with the “Building Public and Political Will for Climate Change Action” article because it emphasizes the strength of a united force. By helping and listening to others I have strengthened my teamwork skills and fostered a sense of community. This is a crucial skill to make lasting and effective change in the world, as “system-level changes to the way human societies use energy and natural resources are necessary to limit global warming to ‘safe’ levels” (Leiserowitz). This emphasizes the collaborative efforts that are significant in creating change.

I think these lifestyle changes are becoming more and more routine as the challenge goes on, so I can hope that they become things I maintain in my daily life even after the completion of the challenge. I think the challenge with making these changes permanent will be when the challenge is over and I am holding myself accountable as opposed to it being part of an assignment. I think a way to overcome this challenge is reminding myself why I chose the challenges I did and what positive impacts they have on the environment and my own well being. This gives my actions a purpose and will help me stay motivated to accomplish them instead of avoiding doing them because I no longer have others checking in on my progress.

Based on my personal experience with the challenges so far, I want to attempt to incorporate them into my daily life. I think so far I have very much felt the positive influences of spending time in nature or working on my own self improvement as opposed to using screens and technology. Not only do I feel these changes to my lifestyle working to relieve my own stress and feel better mentally, but I also enjoy seeing my impact on the environment. So far I have spent 250 minutes not in front of a screen and 170 minutes outdoors. Seeing these numbers serves as a reminder of my impact and motivates me to continue increasing my influence. The article “8 benefits of getting back to nature and spending time outside” describes the positive influences of spending time outdoors. Some of the benefits I have experienced are improved sleep, mental restoration, and improved emotional well-being (Emily Swaim). I think that these benefits have come from using my phone less before I go to sleep, which has allowed me to fall asleep faster as I am more calmed down and then can have better quality REM sleep. I also think being outside in general has been very calming for me and has made me grateful for the various privileges in my life that often go unnoticed and I quickly walk from one place to the next with my head down.

I think that the transportation category has the challenges that would most impact my ecological footprint. Last year I learned that along with electricity generation and industrial fuel use, transportation is one of PA’s largest contributing sectors to GHG emissions. The highway in Lewisburg can make it difficult to get to Walmart, Giant, or other stores on foot, which is why shifting transportation methods can be tricky in an area like this. We have an extremely walkable downtown, though, I think. If people can utilize public transportation more often and use a bike or walk as opposed to a personal vehicle, this GHG emissions sector can be greatly reduced. Choosing clean/renewable energy is a significant one time action, which could also extremely reduce peoples ecological footprints.

The community category is full of beneficial ways in which to address social issues, such as supporting businesses owned by people of color, supporting native communities, and listening and learning from people's experiences. This could provide a strong sense of community and allow people to form relationships and work together towards change, which is more effective than individual efforts. The food category discusses visiting local farms, purchasing food from farmers markets, and meeting local farmers. This not only creates a stronger sense of community, but also withdraws from harmful economic drivers that mass produce or follow unjust practices in the food industry. Using your voice and advocating for a greener future is a way to target the political drivers of climate change. Beginning at the local level and informing the local government officials of changes that could be made in your area could potentially help foster change on a larger scale.