Todd Emanuel

I will volunteer 20 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

I will repair an item, such as clothing or an appliance, for myself, a friend, family member, or neighbor.

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than running a full dishwasher. To save water, I will scrape instead of rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, and only run it when it is full.

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.

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will avoid sending food waste to the landfill by composting my food scraps.

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

I will learn one new fact about my community each day (history, geography, local wildlife, resources, programs, current issues, goals, etc.)

I will purchase produce and/or meat from a local farmers market or food co-op to make 10 locally-sourced meals.

I will refuse 2 of single-use paper or plastic bags each day by bringing my own reusable bags or carrying purchased goods another way.

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 5 items.

No one person can do everything, but we can all do something. Making one person's worth of difference matters! Share an impact you made related to an Ecochallenge action that you are proud of in the feed.

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.