Brian Oldenkamp

I will avoid using disposable plates, cups, or utensils. Instead, I will use long-lasting and reusable materials.

I will reuse materials instead of buying new ones and donate materials that I no longer use.

I will avoid keeping or transporting heavy objects in the car because this practice more quickly depletes fuel, improving my fuel economy by 1% for every 100 pounds of excess weight removed.

I will reduce unnecessary purchases by only buying what I truly need.

I will avoid unnecessary printing and "go digital" whenever possible.

I will opt out of junk mail lists to reduce wasted material and energy.

I will use clean A/C and furnace filters in my home to ensure they run as efficiently as possible.

I will avoid sending food waste to the landfill by composting my food or learning how to.

I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local producers. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

I will set up a sharing initiative in my community to enable effective sharing of stuff, time, skills, and space.

I will minimize the amount of time spent idling in my car to avoid wasting fuel.

I will set up a sharing initiative in my community to enable effective sharing of stuff, time, skills, and space.

To avoid excessive heating and cooling, I will turn the thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and up in the summer.

The average American wastes over $400 and tons of energy on uneaten food per year, I will save that money and reduce the amount of food I waste by effectively meal planning, not overordering, and composting or donating leftover food.

I will make it a habit to only run a full dishwasher to save water and energy.

I will keep my car engine's RPMs low by avoiding abrupt accelerations and coasting into stops, improving my fuel economy by 15% –30% .

I will walk or bike 3 mile(s) per day instead of driving and avoid up to 4.02 pounds of carbon emissions.

I will telecommute to avoid my commute's carbon output.

I will use the natural cooling of putting my windows down when in the car instead of the air conditioning.

I will make it a habit to always turn off the lights when I leave a room.

I will substitute half of my meat consumption with plant-based foods to save an average of $420 on groceries and over 7 tons of carbon emissions per year.

I will drive the speed limit to increase my fuel economy by 7% –14% .

I will combine errands and avoid multiple trips to increase my own time efficiency and to minimize my vehicle emissions.

I will take the stairs instead of the elevator for the benefit of my health and to save energy.

I will switch 6 incandescent lightbulbs in my home to LEDs to save an average of $5 and 60 pounds of carbon emissions per bulb per year.

I will reduce the idle electricity load used by "vampire devices," especially when I'm not using my devices, saving an average of $70 and nearly a half ton of carbon emissions per year.

I will contact a local contractor or nonprofit provider to complete an energy audit of my home and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will upgrade to energy efficient appliances (like Energy Star) to increase my home's energy effiiciency.

I will air seal and insulate my home to make it more comfortable and energy efficient.

I will use water efficiently and install low-flow water fixtures to conserve the significant energy it takes to manage our water system.

I will conserve hot water when cleaning, bathing, and doing the laundry.