Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Alec Zinman

UFV Ecochallenge 2025

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
180 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

meatless or vegan meal

consumed
UP TO

16

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

16

miles

traveled by bike
UP TO

145

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

90

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

2.0

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

35

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

90

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

120

minutes

spent learning

Alec's actions

Food

Visit A Local Farm

I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Explore the Community Feed and Connect with Others

I will spend 5 minutes reading the Ecochallenge feed each day and giving high fives or commenting on posts by people who I don't know, but whose content inspires or interests me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Heat and Cool Naturally

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 30 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Declutter My Living Space

I will declutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my dorm room, apartment, or home to create a more peaceful and organized living space.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Learn About Native Communities in My Area

I will use the resource links provided 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch To Cold Water for Laundry

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Enjoy a Meatless Meal

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Replace Screen Time with Other Activities

I will replace 30 minutes of screen time each day with other activities.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Commute By Bike

I will commute by bike 4 miles each day and avoid sending CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Share Rides with Others

I will sign up for a car-sharing service or coordinate ride shares with roommates, classmates, or campus peers to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cups to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk each day to clear my mind, get some fresh air, and support my physical and mental health as a student.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Health

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 8 hours of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Think About My Core Values

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Feedback Survey

UFV Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment

Complete the UFV Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment by October 17th

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Feedback Survey

Take the UFV Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

Share your feedback and experience with the Office of Sustainability! Complete by October 31st

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Feedback Survey

Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment

Complete the UFV Sustainability Culture and Literacy Assessment by October 15th

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

Indigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?
Alec Zinman 10/01/2025 10:34 AM
when I think of balance, I think of the ways in which Indigenous communities live in balance with the lands they steward. The relationship to the land is reciprocal, taking only what is needed, and giving back to the land.

Indigenous led land stewardship is crucial to the fight for climate change. Indigenous communities having the sovereignty, the ability to be part of the decisions that happen on their land, is crucial both for indigenous rights and for climate action.

I watched this video by The Narwhal, "One big way Canada can tackle climate change", which explained some of the actions that indigenous communities in BC are fighting for their sovereignty, and becoming leaders in climate conservation.

Read More