Dear ,
Right now I am cleaning the dining room. I mean, I was cleaning it this morning, and I’ll get back to it soon.
If you were here (in my dining room), you’d see me sorting through a stack of handwritten lists and copying them over onto one new list. I make a lot of lists. Things get done. Things don’t get done. I make decisions about what undone things to carry forward. I drop things. I celebrate the finished tasks with a momentary smile.
For the 30 Days, 30 Poems Eco-Challenge merge, I decided I need a list. You might not find this very interesting. Or you might. (I just found it very interesting to see what one of my teammates has chosen to do for the Drawdown Challenge!)
Okay, so here’s my Challenges list. Undone. And done. Maybe once I do some of them, instead of “checking them off,” I’ll add links to where I found resources to help me accomplish them. That could serve as my “done” check mark.
• I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings and Cities Solutions
• I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy
• I will spend at least 15 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building
• I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters)
• I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of Micro Wind
• I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass
• I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy
• I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology
• I will spend at least (___) minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved
• I will spend at least 30 minutes researching other Drawdown Food Solutions
• I will spend at least 30 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture
Challenges Already Completed Before The Eco-Challenge, As Part of My Ongoing Interest in Life
• I will enjoy meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge
• I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food
• I will spend at least (___) minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture
• I will buy from organic and local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
• I will start a compost bin where I live
• I will spend at least (___) minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation
Dear——, my 18-y-o daughter has chosen just three challenges. You could choose just one, if you want to join us. The number doesn’t matter. It’s about choosing doable things that might interest and inspire you.
Also, I’m going to write poems to go along with my challenges. Being creative feels important as a part of this. My daughter? This is what she made. Video is her art.
Today, whatever challenges you are facing, I wish for you a creative response of your very own. Art, beauty, creativity. This is what helps us stay energized—and hopeful.
As Always,
L.L.