Vannesa Ramirez

Lighting makes up approximately 10% of hospitals' energy use on average. I will save energy by turning off unnecessary lights when not in use and when I am the last one to leave a space.

I will volunteer 2 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

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

I pledge to take one action that improves the sustainability of my organization in 2025. It can be an action from this challenge or another action that improves resource stewardship.

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for every day.

I will donate blood in my community to make sure there are adequate supplies for routine medical services and emergencies.

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 make 1 appointments to support my health and well-being (primary care provider, dental, vision, etc.)

I will improve hydration by drinking an additional 2oz of water each day. I will do this by drinking additional servings of water or by drinking water in place of other less healthy beverage options.

I will schedule coffee breaks, lunches, and/or check-in meetings with 1 coworkers to promote connectivity in my workplace.

I will turn my computer monitor(s) off at my work station when not in use to save energy (I will follow my organization's IT instructions for keeping on, turning off, or restarting computers).

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 take one action to support local wildlife, such as adding a food or water source, creating shelter/habitat, preventing light pollution, eliminating bird strikes, or another action.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its laboratories more sustainable and ways we can improve.

I will promote a positive environment and uplift others by performing 3 random act(s) of kindness.

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, or walking and biking instead.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors, or purchase items second-hand to reduce resource use.