Families are competing for a $50,000 prize
OTTAWA,
ON, Nov. 29, 2023 /CNW/ - It is the only
challenge of its kind in the country, a national competition
between 8 Canadian families to reduce their energy consumption,
shrink their carbon footprint, and cut their spending on energy,
with the goal of becoming carbon neutral to save the planet.
And now the families are entering the 5th and final challenge of
the competition, with the goal of celebrating the holidays
and reducing their carbon footprint at the same time.
In its second year, Live Net Zero, has attracted families from
across the country who will compete for a cash prize of
$50,000 based on their ability to
reduce their carbon emissions, by making improvements in energy
efficiency in their homes, their commutes, their travel,their
consumption of food and consumer goods and how well they engage
their fellow Canadians
Developed by Canadian Geographic, to help Canadians understand
how they can make practical changes in their lives to protect the
environment, the competition will culminate in the Holiday
Challenge as the final push to the finish line. Families have
already completed four other challenges since September.
● Final Challenge :
Holiday Nov 27-Dec 10
Judging will take place in March for the announcement. In its
second year, Live Net Zero has expanded to Québec, and has
recruited more families and partners than ever before.
Other challenges the families have already completed
include:
- Challenge 1: Commuting Sept 4-Sept 17,
2023
- Challenge 2: Home Envelope Sept 25-Oct
8, 2023
- Challenge 3: Heating and Cooling Oct
16-Oct 29, 2023
- Challenge 4: Electricity Nov 6-Nov 19,
2023
"Canadians want to do their part to reduce emissions, but often
it is hard to take the first step, to know what will work, and how
to make a difference. Like the families in the Live Net Zero
challenge, Shell Canada has made the commitment to be a net-zero
energy emissions business by 2050. It's not easy, but we are making
progress by reducing emissions from our own operations, and from
the fuels and other energy products we sell to our customers," said
Susannah Pierce, President and
Country Chair, Shell Canada.
"Scotiabank was proud to see the results from the first year of
the challenge, when participating families reduced their emissions
by an amazing 40%, meeting Canada"s national objective for 2035. The
families showed determination and ingenuity and shared their energy
saving lessons broadly through social media and Live Net Zero's
website," said Meigan Terry, SVP and
Chief Sustainability, Social Impact and Communications Officer for
Scotiabank.
"Canadian Geographic wants to drive the change that Canadians
desire. We have seen the devastation caused by climate change this
summer, with smoke in our cities, and our boreal forest on fire. We
believe by engaging some of the most dedicated families across the
country, we can all learn together about how each of us as
individuals can build a better, and more sustainable future for
Canada," said John Geiger, CEO Canadian Geographic.
Meet the Families:
Proulx Family-Pointe
Claire, Québec
This family of five lives in an older home built in 1927. They
want to upgrade their home to reduce their carbon footprint, they
love adventures and want to drive an electric car as a family and
get their children involved in a lifestyle that will reduce their
carbon emissions.
Shannon Family-Airdrie,
Alberta
This family of five live in a single detached home built in
1980. They want to upgrade their home to become net zero, and are
passionate about being part of a sustainable community.
MacInnis Family-Dartmouth, Nova
Scotia
This family of four, with another on the way lives in an older
home built in 1936. They have a good understanding of home energy
assessment and are ready to install a heat pump as part of the
challenge. They are a two car family, but will be getting on their
bikes and using transit to change their daily habits. They want to
protect the environment and their community.
Foreman Family-Hanwell, New
Brunswick
This family of 5 will be doing home improvements as part of the
challenge, including installing new doors and windows, and learning
together about how to make their home energy efficient. They view
the competition as a way to learn together about how they can
become more committed to a sustainable lifestyle.
Waddell Family-Windsor,
Ontario
This family of four, plus a cat, are involved with carbon
reduction initiatives. The family recently moved to Windsor and is looking to upgrade and make
improvements to their home and building habits that make an impact
on their environment, including not buying anything new and not
getting a car.
DePape Family-Winnipeg,
Manitoba
This family of three lives in an older home built in 1928. They
recently purchased an electric vehicle, and they want to build a
better future for their child, and know that climate change is here
and want to transition to net zero. They are researching heat
pumps, and other ways to make their older home energy
efficient.
Amarally Family-Etobicoke,
Ontario
This family of five is vegan, likes nature and outdoor
activities, and likes to compost. They garden, drive a Tesla, and
have a home equipped with a high efficiency furnace and tankless
water heater, and they are trying to build a green home to be even
more energy efficient.
Reid Family- Dundas,
Ontario
This family of six lives in a single detached home built in
1964. Their mother Jen has started a climate justice committee and
is a teacher who wants to engage her students about climate change.
They would like to go net zero by making improvements to their
home.
The Data
Statistics Canada reports that
23.8% of Canada's total energy
consumption is used to power our homes, and generates 18.8% of the
country's GHG emissions. Households also generate other direct and
indirect GHG emissions related to commuting, food, travel,
recreation, goods and services. While most Canadians are committed
to reducing their carbon footprint, for many it's confusing and
difficult to know where to start. That is why Canadian Geographic
created Live Net Zero.
SOURCE Royal Canadian Geographical Society