

Melissa Martin
"On a mission to ZERO WASTE! "
Points Total
- 0 Today
- 0 This Week
- 746 Total
Participant Impact
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up to3advocacy actionscompleted
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up to1donationsmade
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up to70minutesspent learning
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up to3pounds of paperhave been saved
Melissa's Actions
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community
Watch & Learn: Environmental and Social Justice
Climate change and other systems such as racism, sexism, colonialism, ableism, and our political and economic structures in our world are intimately connected. I will watch at least 2 of the videos/podcast episodes to learn about environmental/climate justice.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Health and Education
Wellness & Environmental Justice on Screen
Watch 2 or more talks, documentaries, films about how wellness and environmental justice go hand in hand. Short films in "Learn More". Suggested longer films available via streaming services: -Game Changers (2019) -Happy (2011) -Minimalist (2016) -No Impact Man (2009) -Sustainable (2016) -Forks Over Knives (2011) -Wasted! The Story of Food Waste (2017) -Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead (2010)
Health and Education
Yoga for a Better World
Join the Wellness Team for Virtual Yoga. Join live during the weekly yoga session or practice on your own using the recorded sessions.
Buildings
Lights Out/ Turn it Off
Reduce energy use by doing simple actions such as turning the lights off when you are the last to leave a room, using smart power strips, and turning off small appliances around your desk when not in use. At Home or a NW Natural Location we encourage you to: -Turn the lights off when you leave a room. Don't forget those little desk lamps! -Turn off TVs when no one is watching -Close bay doors if the heat or A/C is on -Alert SEEC and or facilities if you are notice light sensors not working properly
Electricity
Less We Can
Peruse our external Less We Can site at http://lesswecan.com/ Learn about all of the ways NW Natural is trying to reduce our carbon foot print. For those who do not interact with customers on a regular basis, this is also a great opportunity to see how we communicate our goals to an outside audience.
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community
Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure
I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.
Land Sinks
Support a Community Garden
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Land Sinks
Choose Better Wood Products
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 30 minute(s) researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers or post to social media.
Health and Education
Connect With A Nonprofit
Health and Education
I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans/nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Industry
Use GoBox
Use my GoBox membership to reduce waste in take out. Goal to use it every time I want take out during the challenge.
Industry
Go Paperless
Recycled Paper
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.
Industry
Advocate For More Packaging Options
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
Industry
Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket
Refrigerant Management
I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Feed
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Melissa Martin 11/16/2020 8:41 AMGreat work all! Last day for our challenge! Let's finish strong :) -
Melissa Martin 11/06/2020 9:12 AMGood work all! Look at those impacts adding up :) -
Reflection QuestionIndustry Find a Local Climate-Friendly SupermarketHow close is the nearest climate-friendly supermarket to your home? How could you encourage local supermarket to reduce or phase out their use of HFC refrigerants?
Melissa Martin 11/02/2020 8:55 AMI'm inspired to investigate whether my local national/ regional stores and co-ops use HFC refrigerants and or are planning a transition away from them. Such a large impact could be made if all grocers moved away HFCs. -
Reflection QuestionAction Track: Justice for the Whole Community Support Indigenous Peoples' Land ManagementIndigenous speaker and activist Winona LaDuke says that, "most indigenous ceremonies, if you look to their essence, are about the restoration of balance — they are a reaffirmation of our relationship to creation. That is our intent: to restore, and then to retain balance and honor our part in creation." Why is balance important to sustainability?
Melissa Martin 10/30/2020 9:46 AMBalance is the key to life! Sustainability includes all aspects of life including social, environmental, and economic realms. If these areas are placed in competition with each other, we see negative impacts occur. If we "balance" and interconnect them, we generally see positive outcomes for all. -
Reflection QuestionBuildings Lights Out/ Turn it OffIs this a new habit for you? Have you noticed anything around NWN that we could improve on for energy savings?
Melissa Martin 10/29/2020 4:10 PMThis is not a new habit, but I am going to engage more with family and friends who do not currently have this habit. When I am at HQ, I manually turn out lights that are still on in unoccupied conference rooms instead of waiting for them to go off per the timer. -
Melissa Martin 10/28/2020 8:52 AMExcited to begin the challenge! -
Melissa Martin 10/27/2020 9:39 AMOur challenge officially begins tomorrow!! I am excited to learn about new topics and to challenge myself with actions I don't normally take. -
Melissa Martin 10/23/2020 10:26 AMHappy Friday! We are announcing the prize and donation structure soon!! WOOT WOOT! -
Melissa Martin 10/22/2020 11:39 AMPro Tip! Earn more points by inviting coworkers who haven't signed up yet. 😀 -
Melissa Martin 10/21/2020 12:34 PMExcited to begin this year's challenge!-
Sophie Cash 10/21/2020 3:54 PMWoo! Can't wait, co-captain! ;)
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