Examples of water action items

• I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

• I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving (___) disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

• I will say no to plastic straws

Examples of nature action items

• I will replace (___) minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

• I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

• At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend (___) minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

• I will call or write (___) public officials per day to advocate for more green spaces around my town, particularly in neighborhoods that currently lack equitable access to green spaces.

*Examples from https://campus.ecochallenge.org/*

Examples of simplicity action items:

• I will eat without distractions such as TV, phone, computer, newspaper

• I will meditate or set aside a moment of silence for (__) minutes each day to reflect on things important to me

• I will walk outside for (__) minutes each day

• I will replace (__) minutes of screen time everyday with other activities

Examples of waste action items:

• I will spend at least (___) minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams

• I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

• I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

• If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

• I will keep (___) disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

Examples of food action items:

• I will watch (___) documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

• I will enjoy (___) meatless meal(s) and/or (___) vegan meal(s) each day this week.

• I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

• I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

*Examples from https://campus.ecochallenge.org/*

Examples of energy action items:

• I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

• I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 133 lbs of CO2 a month and 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

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

• Whether it's by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support low-income solar initiatives in my area.

Examples of transportation action items:

• I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.

• I will commute by bike (___) mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

• Access to public transportation is a social justice issue! I will learn about the need for public transportation in my community and tell (___) friends or classmates each day about the issue.

• I will use public transit (___) mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

*Examples from https://campus.ecochallenge.org/*

Examples of community action items:

• Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support businesses owned by people of color in my community whenever I shop.

• I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.

• I will use the resource links provided below and spend (___) 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.

• I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least (___) conversations.

Examples of health action items:

• I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

• I will spend (___) minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

• Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting (___) more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

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

Examples of resilience action items:

• I will spend (___) minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

• I will spend at least (___) minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

• I will meet (___) new neighbor(s) each day.

• I will offer to help (___) person(s) who are in need each day.

*Examples from https://campus.ecochallenge.org/*