While everyone, including businesses, pays the carbon tax, the cost of the carbon tax per family depends on the choices they make. By making climate smart choices and choosing a lower carbon lifestyle, British Columbians have an opportunity to save enough on their household expenses to come out ahead financially. Whether you switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, shop locally for produce, or purchase eco-friendly upgrades in your home, your decisions can make a big difference. Simply driving 10 kilometres less per week is enough to offset the carbon tax substantially for most British Columbians. Take the scenario of a family of four with two parents earning $90,000 a year, two vehicles, and heating their home with natural gas. With the Climate Action Dividend and income tax cuts made possible by the revenue-neutral carbon tax, this family will be $62 ahead this year. If they made climate smart choices such as installing a high efficiency hot water heating system and installing low-flow showerheads and taking shorter showers, they could save an additional $193. Or, consider a single parent earning $30,000 a year, with one vehicle, and heating their home with electricity: with the Climate Action Dividend, income tax cuts, and the new Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit, this family will be $168 ahead this year. If they made climate smart choices such as keeping the vehicle tuned up and tires properly inflated and switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, they could save an additional $299. Here are some examples of how:
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