How to Save the Planet and Save Money, Too
Remarks from Pam Tate’s presentation at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association on Jan 27, 2025
Taking climate change into account in your everyday life is a lofty task, but very possible, and often this incorporation also improves your health, wealth, and quality of life. It can be a struggle to know where to begin because of how deeply fossil fuels are integrated into what we buy, where we live, and how we get around. But OPCAN members are here to provide guidance. Earlier this year, Pam Tate, OPCAN Organizer and Head of our Policy Committee shared some insights with the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association on how deliberate action can reduce our emissions, give back to our communities, and save money at the same time.
Action now is vital. As we know from just the first couple of months of Trump’s presidency, the current administration will do nothing to address the climate crisis and economic inequities. That’s why our individual choices are more consequential than ever. Pam detailed the many changes we can make over different timescales. Some short-term actions include eating less meat, using public transit or biking more, planting native plants, and buying less stuff or opting for second-hand. Longer-term but equally effective actions include purchasing an electric vehicle, replacing your gas appliances with electric, and installing an efficient electric heat pump to heat and cool your home.
These climate-conscious choices aren’t necessarily the path of least resistance, but they’re healthier for you as well as the environment. It’s easier to drive for five minutes rather than walk for 15, but in driving you lose out on getting to know your neighborhood, getting in some light exercise, and experiencing a little of nature. Climate-friendly choices are also healthier for your finances. Pam noted that electrifying your home and car yield the biggest reductions in your carbon emissions and financial costs. Electrified appliances and heating can save you $1800 per year and driving an electric vehicle will save $6000-$12,000 in fuel and maintenance costs over a car’s lifetime compared to a gas-powered vehicle.
On a larger scale, we need to engage in institutional change. For individuals, this may include joining an environmental advocacy group–such as OPCAN! Voting for climate leaders is another important thing we can do for the planet. With a strong Village Board president and trustees, we could make the sustainable choice the intuitive choice, through improved public transit, reduced building emissions, and support for residents’ home electrification through the Energy Efficiency Grants Program.
Oak Park’s municipal elections are on April 1st this year, and we have the opportunity to vote in a Village Board president and trustees who will prioritize sustainability. You can learn more about the candidates in the Wednesday Journal, but regardless of how the election goes, we all play a part in addressing the issue of climate change. All our decisions compound into a movement. Make your decisions for the sake of your family, for your community, and for the people most vulnerable to the impact of climate change, who are already feeling its effects.
