James Martin

University of Cambridge

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
525 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

6.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

150

minutes

spent exercising

James's actions

Food

Reduce Animal Products

#4 Plant-Rich Diet

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Composting

#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Materials

Research Cement Alternatives

#36 Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings and Cities

Go for a Daily Walk

#54 Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Transport

Use Muscle Power

#49 Cars

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

James Martin 4/22/2019 4:33 PM

One of our challengers, team Panoramic, has slipped ahead! We must catch them.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transport Use Muscle Power

How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

James Martin 4/13/2019 6:32 PM

I rode my bicycle to the hardware store today. Took a route through a rattlesnake bridge on the way home, a path I seldom take. Sun on my skin, tightness in my legs, new perspectives, and old perspectives remembered. I learn more about my community at the speed and with the sensory experience of riding a bicycle.

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James Martin 4/13/2019 9:01 AM

We’re about halfway through the competition and Penn State has a considerable lead. I’m still hopeful that we can take them but we will need more engaged members.

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James Martin 4/13/2019 9:01 AM

We’re about halfway through the competition and Penn State has a considerable lead. I’m still hopeful that we can take them but we will need more engaged members.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

In your opinion, what contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other countries? What does this say about North American values and ways of living?

James Martin 4/13/2019 8:56 AM

I think food in North America is relatively cheap, meat included. We consume meat often, not just on special occasions. I think more value should be put on meat to respect the animal and the farmer.

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James Martin 4/08/2019 3:30 PM

Awesome to see Prof. Pete Smith of the University of Aberdeen speak to GHG emissions and global food security today at Clare College. He plays punk music when he’s not contributing to the IPCC assessment reports.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

James Martin 2/25/2019 8:42 AM

I started a worm compost bin around Chirstmas, and I decided to give worm bins as Chistmas gifts to friends and family. I also recorded their reactions as they received the gifts :) Here's why I decided to give the gift of worms--

https://cocoops.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/have-a-vermi-merry-christmas/

Update! My worms have started to reproduce. Here's a photo of one of them with a cocoon.

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- James Martin 4/07/2019 8:54 AM
  
  Thank you both! And understood, Tom. Sorry about that.
  
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- Tom Richard 4/04/2019 7:27 AM
  
  Hi James. Tom Richard here from Penn State (not Penn, which in the US is the abbreviation for the University of Pennsylvania). I thought you should know who you are challenging. Glad to connect, I'm also a worm farmer and composter and wish you all the best.
  
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- Alyssa Tran 2/25/2019 4:45 PM
  
  Wow James, what a great read. It was funny and very informative! Thank you for sharing.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings and Cities Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

James Martin 2/20/2019 1:52 PM

I walked to lunch today and noticed the 3' and 4' widths of the sidewalk, usually depending on the zoning of the house behind it. But there were also areas where there was no sidewalk at all. Some areas I had to duck under trees and bend around bushes in order to pass, which is kind of fun for me but I'm sure can create challenges for others. I prefer to walk in the road, really, as the Cretans do. Whatever the solution, here's to making cities more pedestrian friendly.

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James Martin 2/20/2019 12:19 PM

Kicking off the Drawdown EcoChallenge this year! We crushed it last year, finishing as the top team in the UK! How far will we go this year?

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