April 10 - May 10, 2023

Healthy Ecosystems

A healthy society needs healthy ecosystems.

The health of global ecosystems and species diversity are declining rapidly. Over the past 50 years, direct and indirect drivers of change, the top 5 being change in agricultural land and sea use, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species, have accelerated this decline. Explore how you can better understand local and global ecosystems and humans’ impact on the Earth.

Why We Need Nature

I will spend at least (___) minutes learning about ecosystem services, the benefits that nature provides and humans depend on.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Ecosystem Serivces

California Academy of Sciences: Ecosystem Services Video
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Society and Nature

I will spend (___) minutes learning about what is driving the decline of healthy ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

WWF Living Planet Report 2022

New York Times: Earth's biodiversity is still collapsing

5 Drivers of Change in Nature with Largest Global Impact
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Learn about Regenerative Agriculture

I will spend at least (___) minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution: Regenerative Annual Cropping

TEDx Talk: How regenerative farming can help heal the planet and human health

SolutionsU Collection: Growing Biodiversity
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend time researching which plants support local native pollinators and spend (___) minutes planting some in my yard. As a Microsoft employee in a Perks+ eligible country, I can be reimbursed for seeds, plants, trees, and bee boxes.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Pollinator-Friendly Planting Guides

How to Protect Your Local Pollinators in Ten Easy Ways

Podcast: 99% Invisible - "On Beeing"

Receive a reimbursement for sustainable lifestyle purchases through Perks+ (Microsoft employees only)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Reduce Consumption of Animal Products and Save Water

I will enjoy (___) meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge to reduce the ecosystem impact of livestock farming and reduce my water footprint.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution: Plant-Rich Diets

The way we eat could doom us as a species. Here’s a new diet designed to save us.

Water Footprint of Food

Vegan Recipes to Try
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DAILY ACTION
Eat Mindfully and Reduce Deforestation

I will spend at least (___) minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution: Tropical Forest Restoration

4 Foods That Are Eating the World’s Forests And How to Choose Better

Find Rainforest Alliance Certified products

SolutionsU Collection: Restoring Tropical Forests
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Smart Seafood Choices

I will download the app on seafoodwatch.org and eat (___) meals that include sustainable seafood choices.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Make better seafood choices for a healthy ocean

5 Reasons Salmon Are an Environmental Justice Solution

The Smart Seafood Buying Guide

Marine Stewardship Council: 10 Reasons to Choose the Blue Fish Label
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Explore the Impact of Humans on the Land

I will spend (___) minutes exploring the UN Biodiversity Lab interactive. I will apply the Human Modification Index Layer to learn about human impacts on Earth.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

UN Biodiversity Lab
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Last Chance Ecosystems

I will spend (___) minutes exploring The Nature Conservancy Last Chance Ecosystems, a list of critically endangered ecosystems.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Last Chance Ecosystems

Interact with the Last Chance Ecosystems Map

Microsoft will protect more land than we use by 2025
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Advocate for Land Protection

I will contact (___) of my local representatives to advocate for public policy that protects land.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

GovTrack: Find your U.S. Congressperson

Biden Administration Lays Out 30x30 Vision to Conserve Nature

30x30: Eight Steps to Protect the Best on Earth
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Get to Know Your Threatened Species

I will spend (___) minutes to explore the IUCN Red List of threatened species to learn about species in my area or around the world.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

IUCN Red List of threatened species
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Explore the Planetary Computer

I will spend (___) minutes learning about the data catalog, compute hub, and applications of the Planetary Computer and how they can be utilized by environmentalists.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

A planetary computer for a sustainable future
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ONE-TIME ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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