There are so many other pressing sustainability issues, but they all have a connection to climate change: The orcas rely on salmon, which are struggling even more with rising stream and ocean temperatures. Plastics are made with fossil fuels. Climate change is exacerbating human health disparities.
Nora Nickum
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,291 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO2.0advocacy actionscompleted
-
UP TO400gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO90minutesspent learning
-
UP TO360minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO16plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO8.0public officials or leaderscontacted
Nora's actions
Nature
Do Nature Activities
I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 45 minute(s) each day to connect with the shared ecosystem in which I live and rely on. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)
Community
Support Environmental Initiatives lead by People of Color
Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support and seek out conservation organizations lead by people of color in my community, as their efforts address environmental justice, Puget Soundand/or Pacific Ocean health.
Waste
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate, so long term, it stays out of the Puget Sound and/or the Pacific Ocean.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers to minimize my water footprint, as in many watersheds, a drop for me is one less for salmon, which then warms streams or impairs salmon streamflows.
Community
Express My Support
I will write or call my elected officials to express my support for environmental action that impacts orca and/or salmon habitat in both policy and practice.
Education
Support local schools with Orca resources
Share with my child(s) teacher or my neighborhood school pre-prepared curriculum resources about the plight of our Orcas and the healthy watersheds they depend on, for remote learning
Education
Educate my family or friends
Spend 30 minutes educating my family/friends about Southern Resident Orca Whales and their endangered food supply.
Transportation
Contact my elected officials
If in Washington, I will contact my elected officials to communicate the need to create an annual Orca Protection Endorsement for all recreational boaters in Puget Sound, ensuring boaters are educated on limiting their Orca impacts
Transportation
Learn about boat noise impacts
I will spend 60 minutes learning about how boat noice impacts Orcas and then I will change my boating habits to reduce my impact.
Food
Advocate For More Food Packaging Options
I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.
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?
-
Nora Nickum 11/05/2020 10:50 AMIt's the last day of the Orca Recovery EcoChallenge! Thanks to everyone on the team for participating, making this fun, and helping the orcas! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Express My SupportWhat sustainability issues are most pressing or prominent where you live?
Nora Nickum 10/28/2020 9:30 AMCLIMATE CHANGE! It is affecting everything that we all care about, and everything we want our children and grandchildren and EVERYONE to be able to enjoy. It is urgent to commit ourselves to climate justice work.
There are so many other pressing sustainability issues, but they all have a connection to climate change: The orcas rely on salmon, which are struggling even more with rising stream and ocean temperatures. Plastics are made with fossil fuels. Climate change is exacerbating human health disparities. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Support Environmental Initiatives lead by People of ColorHow does existing pollution, handling of pollution, urban planning, environmental health responses, and opportunities for equitable leadership exacerbate the inequities and disparities in our communities? How can we help alleviate that to promote a healthy community for all?
Nora Nickum 10/28/2020 9:27 AMI'm several chapters in to "ALL THAT WE CAN SAVE" and there are some essays that really highlight the urgency of addressing inequities and climate change, together -- and share inspiring stories of how that is being done. https://www.allwecansave.earth/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Contact my elected officialsHow can you spread your affinity for boating and paddling, whilst supporting the natural resource you rely on for that enjoyment? What are laws for, if not to protect those without a voting voice?
Nora Nickum 10/28/2020 9:26 AMCheck out the recreational boater pledge to give the orcas more space: https://www.givethemspace.org/recreational-pledge -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Learn about boat noise impactsDo you know how orcas communicate? If you found your food, communicated with your family, learned of safety all through sound, but that sound was interrupted or muffled on a regular basis, would you imagine that to impact your ability to eat and navigate?
Nora Nickum 10/28/2020 9:25 AMEcholocation!
I imagine trying to find healthy food in a pitch-black grocery store that hasn't been restocked in weeks... -
Nora Nickum 10/28/2020 9:23 AMHi Team Aquarium! Just 6 days until the Election -- and just 8 days until the Orca Recovery EcoChallenge ends! Can you manage to log an action on each one of those remaining 8 days?
There are prizes at stake--not to mention baby orcas that need our help! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Advocate For More Food Packaging OptionsSingle use plastics have become normalized in our society to the point that most people don't see them as a problem. What would you say to a friend, colleague, or family member who may not understand why these disposables are an issue?
Nora Nickum 10/21/2020 9:15 AMMany plastics are not actually recycled even when we put them in our recycling bins - for many reasons (including lack of a strong market for some recycled materials, as well as things like contamination of the recyclables with non-recyclables, food waste, plastic bags, etc.). We need real policy change! This week I reinvigorated efforts with my City Council to get an ordinance passed to reduce single-use plastics like food service ware, straws, stirrers, cups, etc. -
Nora Nickum 10/16/2020 1:41 PMToday I saw the southern resident orcas from the ferry - including what I am pretty sure was one of the new J-pod babies! It was amazing. I made sure to thank WSF for slowing/stopping to quiet the waters. -
Nora Nickum 10/14/2020 11:08 AMThe EcoChallenge steering committee has announced some prizes! Make sure you're checking in daily to get some points for yourself and the Aquarium team - and see what daily or one-time actions you can take to help the orcas and salmon!
They’ve developed a partnership with a group called Loop & Tie and will be offering $50 gift certificates to the top 5 individuals in each of the following categories:- Workplace (business/non-profit/agency partners) - Top 5 Individual point earners each receive $50 gift certificate
- Community Groups - Top 5 Individual point earners each receive $50 gift certificate
- School/Youth Groups - Top 5 Individual point earners each receive $50 gift certificate
In addition, they'll be offering a $250 prize to the top performing team, who can either use it at Loop & Tie or choose to donate the prize to the conservation charity of their choice. -
Nora Nickum 10/14/2020 9:04 AMReading some nature-themed books with my preschooler.
HIKE, by Pete Oswald - no words, just beautiful illustrations about a child and father who go for a hike and plant a seedling.
LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG, by Skylaar Amann - a young humpback whale finds a ukulele! also addresses the impacts of boat noise on whale communication
BAT COUNT: A CITIZEN SCIENCE STORY, by Anna Forrester and illustrated by Susan Detwiler
FOLLOW THE MOON HOME, by Deborah Hopkinson and Philippe Cousteau, illustrated by Meilo So - kids can make a difference! In this story, they help reduce light pollution to save baby sea turtles-
Nora Nickum 10/14/2020 4:35 PMYes, Catastrophe by the Sea!! -
Marta Burnet 10/14/2020 4:20 PMHow about Catastrophe by the Sea! :)
-