The Red Deer family challenged to reduce their carbon emissions didn’t come out on top in Canadian Geographic’s first Live Net Zero competition, but still felt that participating was a huge win.
Last year, Ania and Kit Richmond and their two young children competed in the challenge. Five Canadian households received $10,000 to help reduce their carbon footprint and took part in six themed challenges from September to November.
Earlier this year, the Loewen-Nair family, of London, Ont. was awarded the $50,000 grand prize, but the panel of judges said all the families were inspiring examples of how Canadians can reduce their own personal carbon footprint.
Ania said winning would have been fabulous for her family, and also for Red Deer and Alberta, but the challenge was still worthwhile for them and others who followed their journey.
“We realized we already won. We were part of this, and what we’ve been able to change and sustain, that feels like a big win,” Ania said.
About two weeks ago, the family finished replacing the old natural gas furnace in their home with a heat pump and replaced the two hot water tanks with one boiler system. Solar panels will be added in April.
Ania said the challenge provided the incentive to research ways to reduce carbon emissions at home and look into available government grants and loans to help them out.
She highly recommended getting a home energy audit. While she assumed installing triple-pane windows were necessary, the audit showed that better insulation in the attic was more important. Their house was airtight, so energy efficiency could best be achieved with improved heating and solar panels.
The family switched to a condensing dryer, shops local as much as possible, and is focused on replacing their gas-powered SUV with a hybrid and getting a cargo bike for local commuting.
She said it would be great if there was a better way to share what people are doing to reduce their carbon footprint so they can learn from each other. Making information on green initiatives more accessible would also be helpful.
People don’t have to do everything. It’s about picking two or three things and focusing on them, Ania said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t suit your family, or lifestyle, but if all of us did two or three things to make meaningful change with the intent of sustainability and energy efficiency, we as a city, as a community, would be so impactful.”
Red Deer family takes up challenge to slash their carbon emissions
Canadian Geographic is now looking for participants for the 2023 Live Net Zero competition.
For more information visit canadiangeographic.ca/live-net-zero.