Tread Lightly

Are you trying to be leaner, greener and more efficient with your use of the planet's resources? Launching on the International Day of Climate Action on October 24, the 40-Day Challenge will put your dedication to environmental stewardship to the test by challenging you to adopt, and maintain, a series of 40 green commitments. Step up to the challenge to see what a difference 40 days can make!

How does it work?

1. 1

   Sign Up or Login to TakingITGlobal

   To get started, we need you to sign up as a member of TakingITGlobal, Tread Lightly's online community partner, so that we can store your footprint measurements in a profile you can share. If you're already a member, login on the right hand side to record your footprint!

2. 2

   Calculate your ecological footprint

   In order to effectively reduce your impact, it is important to know where you are starting from. The first step of the 40-Day Challenge is to use our online ecological footprint calculator to get a better idea of just where you stand. Calculate your ecological footprint now!

3. 3

   Record your ecological footprint

   Now that you're aware of what your ecological footprint is, record it below so that you can compare your results once you adopt the commitments and reduce your impact.

   My ecological footprint is:

   Carbon	tonnes
   Global hectares (GHA)

   
   save my footprint
4. 4

   Take the 40-Day Challenge

   Click on the icons below to reveal 40 different commitments that you can make to reduce your ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable common future. From October 24 to December 2, join others around the world in taking on, and sticking to, as many commitments as possible. You can post your commitments online or use the downloadable 40-Day Challenge progress tracker to document your progress manually.

   • Power & Energy
     • Beat the heat, stay cool sustainably
     • Lave le linge à l'eau froide
     • Wear a sweater
     • Fais sécher le linge en l'étendant
     • Replace old light bulbs with efficient lighting
     • Pense à éteindre la lumière
     • Éteins ton ordinateur et ton écran quand tu as fini
     • Consume less electricity
   • Global Citizenship
     • Finish the 100-letter dash, and then some
     • Enlighten your friends
     • Contact your government representative
     • Volunteer with an environmental charity
   • Water
     • Wash Dishes Efficiently
     • Utilise des bouteilles d'eau réutilisables
     • Reduce flushing volume
     • Ferme le robinet quand tu te brosses les dents
     • Prends des douches plus rapides
     • Flushing the toilet less often
   • Food
     • Reusable food containers
     • Take the Low Carbon Lunch Challenge
     • Eat Less Meat
     • Go Organic
     • Consume local
   • Transport
     • Dissuade les gens de laisser tourner le moteur à vide
     • Utilise les transports en commun
     • Prends ton vélo
     • Fais du covoiturage
     • Déplace-toi à pied plutôt qu'en voiture
   • Waste & Resources
     • Composting
     • Repair instead of replace
     • Use rechargeable batteries
     • Refuse junk mail
     • Recycle tes vêtements
     • Consume less paper
     • Bring a re-usable bag
     • Dispose of electronics safely
   • Consumption Patterns
     • Avoid excess packaging
     • Give gifts with a conscience
     • Don't pollute your body
     • Go green when you clean
     • Share your books
   • Earth, Our Common Home
     • Get Outside
     • Help things grow
     • Clean up your community
     • Plant a tree

    

5. 5

   Recalculate and reflect

   After the 40 days are up, recalculate your ecological footprint to see how far you’ve come in greening your lifestyle in just a few weeks, and how simple it can be to tread more lightly on the planet.