Darcy Austin

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will see if my family is eligible for the Energy Saver Kit from Energy Trust. If we are, I will replace 5 lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching how my home or school is heated and cooled and see if a heat pump is a more energy efficient option.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching what is required for a building to be considered net-zero energy.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching options for retrofitting existing buildings and learning about the impact of energy efficiency incentive programs in my area.

I will interview or learn about someone who works in green buildings, or is a city planner or urban designer.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching a net-zero or near net-zero building in my area and find out what it took to achieve the project goals.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will spend at least 30 minute(s) researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for me or my family's lifestyle.

I will avoid buying and using 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

I will spend at least 30 minute(s) researching the adoption of fleets of electric semi trucks.

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

I will spend 30 minutes researching women in leadership positions in my community, in my country, or globally.

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.

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 collect all of my household's unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much we send to the landfill.