Erin Saunders

For this challenge, I explored a new part of a park near my apartment when I was home. It was incredibly refreshing to spend time outside, alone with my thoughts. Thus, spending time outside enhances brainpower by providing a reset. It serves as a reminder that we are all part of an ecosystem and have a relationship with the nature around us.

I carpooled with my cousin to go home for Easter break, instead of flying. In the future, I will aim to carpool or take the train, rather than flying.

I notice that I have a lot more energy when I eat more fruits and vegetables. It is a lot easier to do this now because I am home for Easter break, whereas at school, the dining hall doesn't have a ton of options. I try to not eat a lot of meat, and have a lot of days where I don't eat it at all. I know that eating less meat is a great way to reduce my carbon footprint.

1. empathy
2. gratitude
3. service
4. accountability

I strive to de-center myself with these core values. It is important to me to care for others, and in doing so, I am able to better care for myself. In Stoke's chapter in All We Can Save, she discusses how community building is key to ecojustice. Thus, in practicing these core values, I aim to help others reframe their minds from power and dominance to love and care for the planet.

I usually wash my clothes in cold water anyway, but I made the active choice to do it for this ecochallenge. I did not know that using cold water was more eco-friendly, and I will continue to only use cold water in the future. As for this reflection question about money, since I live in a dorm, saving money on energy doesn't really impact me. However, I think it is important to start practicing these habits for when I am not living in a dorm and need to pay for my own water and electrical.

For this assignment, I explored Vogue's web page on Sustainability: https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability

I read one article that discussed the usage of water in the fashion industry. According to this article, 90% of fashion companies do not disclose water-related risks in their clothing production. The failure of most fashion companies to acknowledge their own impact on water has serious implications. Water is key to the fashion industry because it is necessary for the growth of natural fibers, such as cotton. The fashion industry is impacting the availability of water across the world because it uses dyes and chemicals that leak into natural water sources. This connects to Stokes' reading because she discusses the importance of large scale change. She argues that corporations need to be held accountable for their impact on climate change.

I read another interesting article from Vogue, titled "Fashion is neglecting nature. Now what?" This article talks about the mass deforestation caused by the fashion industry, as well as its impact on natural water sources. The article urges brands to measure their ecological impacts, and then to set targets to reduce their environmental impact and chemical usage.

On a college campus, it is difficult to understand the scope of electricity that is used. Even if the lights are turned off in my room, the lights in the hallway remain on 24/7. This challenge has helped me realize the importance of individual actions when living in a larger community. Even though I can't control the electricity around my dorm, I can control my own space and make a difference.