How much should
we give to conservation?
Once again, a mere one percent will suffice, if it is spent in
the right places.
A minimum of one percent of your time and your
gross income is enough to make a difference between being just another consumer,
and being a conserver.
Conservation is that little cost that means the
difference between buying the cheapest and often the most disposable,
energy-inefficient and toxic product, or buying the conservation alternative.
And it is a total of 3 days a year spent in conservation activities, or in that
little extra effort it takes to think of the right thing to do when you are
presented with a choice.
Let's say you make $50,000.
I want you to keep a mental budget of at least
$500 in mind as the added cost you might pay to purchase the
conservation alternative. It may be $50 for ten compact fluorescent
lightbulbs, $200 more a year for local or organic food, $100 for native species
to create a more natural yard, $200 more for the more efficient and durable
appliance, or $100 for organic cotton or hemp clothes. And when you are truly
committed to conservation, you will be prepared to invest in increased home
efficiency or in a hybrid engine for your next car (in which case you should start
calculating the savings in gas and look at your contribution over the life of
the car) -- assuming you've already looked into other transportation options (www.greenontario.org/solutions)
And if conservation saves you money on your utility bill, your transportation costs, or your grocery bill, then consider
reinvesting those savings in even more conservation activities.
What about Donations?
Frankly, the first priority is to invest in becoming a better conserver.
You could give me $50, and I would use it to
design a campaign to get you to spend $50 on compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
Eliminate me as the middle-man, and we will both be happy.
That
said, we do need and accept all donations.
Donate online via Canada Helps,
and you will receive an instant charitable donation receipt by e-mail. All
contributions will be used to help build a stronger conservation movement. You can also mail in a cheque payable to "The Conservation
Council of Ontario" to 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 132, Toronto, Ontario M5T
2C7.
We also encourage you to support those groups
that have helped you or that are part of the conservation movement and are
tackling issues of concern to you. Everyone should have at least one
conservation group in their charitable portfolio.
Make conservation a part of you!
A 1% Contribution