Heidi Burkart

I will complete an online energy audit of my dorm room or home and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will incorporate energy efficiency or clean energy into a project or paper for school.

I will advocate for local and/or organic food options on campus.

I will not purchase anything but food during the challenge.

I will watch a documentary about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Powering a Bright Future', with family, friends, or classmates.

I will use a fan instead of a window air conditioner.

I will replace 60 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

I will reduce the amount of unwanted mail I receive (catalogs, phone books, etc.).

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 only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.

I will start a petition for my school to use more clean/renewable energy.

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

I will go to an outdoor club or similar group's meeting or event.

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting on social media using the #EcoChallenge hashtag.

I will choose organic as often as possible to reduce exposure to pesticides, which are unhealthy for me as well as the planet.

I will write down three things that I am grateful for each day OR reach out to thank someone who's doing something positive for our world's health and well-being each day.

I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.

I will refrain from going out during the week and instead choose sober and healthy activities like exercising, advocating for change and getting outdoors.

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

I will cut out or reduce all artificial sweeteners in my diet, especially acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sucralose and saccharin - all which can decrease human health and pollute our waterways.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

I will connect with a local nonprofit and find out how I can get involved.

I will cook a new recipe every day that features organic and/or local ingredients.

I'm up for a serious challenge! I will only eat food that has been raised and cultivated within a hundred-mile radius of where I live, and I will post about it on my feed.

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, and only buying the ingredients I need.

I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.