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Pinar Yalcin's avatar

Pinar Yalcin

Go Green(UR) or Go Home! 🌎🔥

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 324 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    3.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    12
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    2.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    5.0
    miles
    traveled by bike
  • UP TO
    5.0
    miles
    traveled by bus
  • UP TO
    951
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    2.0
    neighbors
    met
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    2.0
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Pinar's actions

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

GO BY BIKE OR PUBLIC TRANSIT

I will commute by bike or public transit 10 miles each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

SHOP WOMEN-OWNED

I will shop from women-owned businesses today.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

SUPPORT LOCAL POLLINATORS

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 5 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

GO ON MINDFUL SELF-GUIDED TOUR

I will visit the Eco-Corridor for a self-guided tour between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to slow down, destress, and engage in mindfulness stations.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

SUPPORT NATIVE COMMUNITIES

I will use the resource links and spend 5 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

MEET MY NEIGHBORS

I will meet 1 new office, dorm, or apartment neighbors each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

SUPPORT RESILIENT POWERGRIDS

A community can be brought to its knees without dependable power, often affecting the most vulnerable. I will write 1 letter(s) or email(s) to a public official or company to advocate for a more resilient power grid (e.g. microgrids, solar+storage).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

JOIN AN OUTDOOR PROJECT

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

EXPLORE MY AREA

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

THE TRUTH ABOUT EXPIRATION DATES

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

LOWER YOUR WATER "FOODPRINT"

I will learn about water use in food production and eat less water intensive foods.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

COMPOST FOOD SCRAPS

I will participate in the composting program on campus or compost my food scraps at home.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

SMART LAUNDRY

I will conserve water and energy by only doing full loads of laundry in cold water.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

REGISTER FOR A ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

I will attend a roundtable hosted by global experts and UR community members.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

SMART LAUNDRY

I will conserve water and energy by only doing full loads of laundry in cold water.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

REGISTER FOR A ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY

I will attend a roundtable hosted by global experts and UR community members.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

BUY FROM A FARMERS MARKET

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

CONNECT WITH A NONPROFIT

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

LEARN ABOUT EQUITY & INCLUSION

I will spend 5 minutes learning about equity and inclusion resources on campus and in Richmond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

LEARN ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN RICHMOND

I will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice issues in Richmond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Community & Justice

TALK TO MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ABOUT ECOCHALLENGE

I will tell friends and/or colleagues about the Ecochallenge and share information about how to get involved.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

LOCAL INDIGENOUS PRACTICES

I will take 10 minutes to learn how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

ENJOY THE SUNRISE/SUNSET

I will enjoy the sunrise and sunset.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

GO FOR A DAILY WALK

I will take a 10-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

PRACTICE GRATITUDE FOR EARTH

I will spend 5 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 4 - Conservation & Biodiversity

SPEND TIME OUTSIDE

I will replace 20 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

LEARN ABOUT & PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE FASHION

I will spend 5 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

GO PAPERLESS

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

CARRY MY TRASH

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

VISIT REFILL STORE

I will visit a local refill store to fill up on bulk items and reduce purchasing of plastic.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

ZERO-WASTE COOKING

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

VISIT THE SPIDER EXCHANGE

I will visit the on-campus "free store", known as the Spider Exchange, to donate unneeded items or "shop" for free from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spider Exchange is located at 24D New Frat Row.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

PICK UP LITTER

I will pick up litter on-campus or in Richmond for ___ minutes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

REDUCE SINGLE-USE DISPOSABLES

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate and divert waste from the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

REUSABLE BOTTLES AND MUGS

I will avoid sending 2 disposable beverage containers to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or water bottle.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 5 - Rethink Waste

SOLAR TOUR & CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE

I will tour the campus solar array. The tour will meet at the solar array on the roof of the Weinstein Center for Recreation at 11:30 a.m.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Water

SHORT SHOWER CHALLENGE

I will save up to 6 gallons (23 L) of water each day by keeping my showers under 5 minutes.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

REDUCE SEAFOOD INTAKE AND EAT SMART SEAFOOD

I will make responsible and sustainable seafood choices.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

PLAN YOUR MEALS

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 3 - Food & Water

GO MEATLESS

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

DISCONNECT FROM EMAIL

I will disconnect from my email when not at school or work.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

TURN IT OFF

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 2 - Climate Crisis

ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 1 - Community & Justice

HELP OTHERS

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?


  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:52 AM
    Facts: Some of the biggest threats to forests in Virginia are exotic invasive species, parcelization and fragmentation, development, climate change, and historical mismanagement.

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:48 AM
    Facts: The World Wildlife Fund defines four ecoregions in Virginia: Middle Atlantic coastal forests near the Atlantic coast in the southeast corner of the state, Southeastern mixed forests on the Piedmont, Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests on the Appalachian Mountains, and Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests in the far west.

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:47 AM
    Facts:
    • Nickname: The Old Dominion State.
    • Statehood: 1788; 10th state.
    • Population (as of July 2015): 8,382,993.

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:46 AM
    Facts: Pollution is a major issue for Virginia's waterways and the iconic Chesapeake Bay. Increasingly single use plastics and other litter have become a top pollution issue for our wildlife and ecosystems.

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:46 AM
    Facts: Most of Virginia has a humid subtropical climate, from the Blue Ridge Mountains and southern Shenandoah Valley to the Atlantic coast.

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:43 AM
    Reached a milestone of 250 points in the challenge!

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:36 AM
    Let’s go GreenUR 💚🌏🌍 #winners

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:26 AM
    Hi people! 💚 I’d like to announce the “First Friday Bank Protest” in Richmond against the funding of the Mountain Valley Pipeline that we plan on participating. Here’s the link to it if you want to sign up: https://forms.gle/SS1Ra7ngs3HooDXu8

    When? : Dec 1st, @2PM 🌻
    Where? : Kanawha Plaza Park in Richmond 🌻

  • Pinar Yalcin's avatar
    Pinar Yalcin 11/17/2023 10:20 AM
    It’s going very well, I am starting to re-consider daily mini-actions when I can! Trying to be as eco-friendly as possible!