What If You Could Save $200/ month?

This is a real story. The headline might sound too good to be true, but it’s not… and it’s certainly not what you think.

This is my story on how one simple change saved me $200 a month!

As a single income family, ever dollar counts.

Lisa Marie’s article really resonated with me and my comment on how I never eat out, apparently resonated with others.

“My work colleagues were shocked that I had not been to x, y, x restaurant. Ummm… I make less than you and we are a single income family versus your higher pay, plus being a double income family (or a single income family without kids). Eating out is several days worth of groceries!”

My monthly vehicle fuel bill was $600/month!

Where I live — it’s expensive; it’s the price we pay for living in Canada without snow! (Yes, such a place does exist.)

I did some math and sold my combustion engine vehicle. I bought an electric vehicle for $400/month. As a bonus, I have zero vehicle maintenance costs – and it’s fun to drive!

Okay, not quite zero. Windshield wiper fluid does cost me $2.

In one year, I have reduced my carbon emissions by approximately 10 tonnes. That reduction is the equivalent of planting about 2,200 trees a year!

Now, had a led with “I am doing my part to care for the environment and you should, too.” Or, “Do this to respond to climate change” and I would likely connect with a very different audience. Or, quite frankly, I might just piss off some people who either, don’t believe in the science or are just sick of hearing from “darn environmentalists” and “false” chatter on climate change.

The latter segment of the population are polarizing, just like the melting polar ice caps.

But, as the ice melts and waters starts to flow together, it’s only expedited the need for us to do things differently.

After the summer heat dome (our usual 25 degrees celcius weather, hit 46 degreess celcius!) and the fall flooding in our region, it’s really hard – make that impossible – to deny something is happening with our climate.

Can we start having a different conversation?

Can we meet people where they are, versus being combative and argumentative?

Maybe, just maybe, we will then see the kind of change that is truly needed.

Sure, I am likely projecting here but it worked for me so perhaps it will work for others, too.

Finances are a real balance.

Any investment in an “environmental initiative” without a monetary benefits is just not viable for my family. If a climate-based conversation is led with any perception of exorbitant costs, real or perceived, I am going to shut down.

Tell me I can save $200 per month, and I’m all ears!

Real incentives.

More money in your pocket?

More time spent with family or friends?

Improved quality of life?

These are all things that I think everyone can get behind.

Guess what they all have in common?

Coincidentally, actions you take in these areas can positively impact the environment. For example:

• reinvest the time you spent commuting with family or friends with remote work or working closer to home.
• shorten your commute and take advantage of walking or biking for even a portion of your travels. 1km walking has numerous health benefits and even this small action reduce emission by 0.125 tonnes. Sure, that doesn’t seem significant but multiply that by even 1% of the population of North America and we’ll see a reduction of nearly 7,500 tonnes of carbon emissions.
• Container gardening can yield a surprising amount of produce and save time (and emissions) travelling to/from the market or grocery store — not to mention the transport of goods to arrive on the shelf in the first place.

A global community.

It will take all of us doing what we can, but it IS possible! And, doing something/anything is a start.

Let’s not be complacent.

Some countries are greater contributors to others, and this includes the United States. The USA is the second largest emitter of CO2, behind China.

Number three on the list of the top five is India, followed by The Russian Federation and Japan.

All of these countries have set targets to reduce their emissions. While government policy and regulation will be instrumental in reaching these goals, most people can and need to change some of their behaviours as well.

Hope on the horizon.

China has set target to be carbon neutral by 2060.

USA is working towards a 50% reduction by 2030.

India has set a target to be carbon neutral by 2070.

The Russian Federation has set a reduction target of 30% by 2030 and net zero by 2060.

Japan has set a reduction target of 46% by 2030 and net zero by 2060.

It’s not a waiting game.

To reach these goals, action needs to start today.

Let’s embrace change to get more out of life — including time and money.

Are you with me?

Takeaways

• There are nearly 8 billion people on the planet. Just imagine if everyone did one small thing to enhance their quality of life (and reduce emissions in the process). If we are capable of doing more than one small thing, let’s do so to support those who do not have the privilege of making a change.
• Let’s respect each other in the process — and meet people where they are.
• The change may not be instantaneous, behavioural change is a significant beast — be patient.

What action can you take to improve your quality of life, and also benefit the environment?

Resources:

• https://www.myclimate.org/
• https://8billiontrees.com/
• https://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/could-global-co2-levels-be-reduced-by-planting-trees
• https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/china-co2-emissions-9-higher-than-pre-pandemic-levels-q1-research-2021-05-20/
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/22/fact-sheet-president-biden-sets-2030-greenhouse-gas-pollution-reduction-target-aimed-at-creating-good-paying-union-jobs-and-securing-u-s-leadership-on-clean-energy-technologies/
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58922398
• https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/russian-federation/
• https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/japan/

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