Photo by Bhautik Patel on Unsplash
by Christine Muller
Some people say that living an environmentally and socially responsible life is expensive, therefore only for the rich, and that it is time-consuming, too. We discussed the time issue previously in the Summer 2023 article Too busy? An environmentally sustainable lifestyle is still possible! This article will focus on the financial cost of living sustainably.
It is true that some aspects of living sustainably cost more money, but we will argue that overall, living a sustainable lifestyle is significantly less expensive.
The Bahá’í teachings of contentment and being happy with “but little of this world’s goods”(1) help us to buy only things we really need. We can also use things as long as possible and mend and repair them if needed. Reducing our purchases to necessities likely results in high cost savings and has a most beneficial impact on the environment. Remember, almost everything we buy comes with unseen multiple environmental and social costs!(2)
Buying items secondhand also saves money and, at the same time, reduces the pressure on producing more and more stuff.(2)
Abandoning unnecessary travel (June 2020 article) is a double win for the environment and your purse.
The Bahá’í teaching of using wisdom helps us think about the long-term effects of our actions. Consider the following tips:
— LED lightbulbs are more expensive than the old incandescent bulbs, but they use up to 75% less energy and last much longer.
— The cheap clothes of fast fashion are extremely harmful for the environment, and when you look at their short life expectancy, they are also costly for you. It is better to invest in a high-quality item that you can wear for decades to come.
— Installing good insulation for your house or putting solar panels on your roof can have significant upfront costs, but these will be recouped in a few years and prove to be economically advantageous.
— The same holds true for energy-efficient appliances. They may cost a little more, but you will reduce your monthly utility bills over the years to come.
— Moving your thermostat a little down in the winter and up in the summer will lower your energy consumption and result in significant savings.
Hanging up your laundry is free. Dryers use a lot of energy, which is bad for the environment and your finances alike. Moreover, clothes always suffer from a dryer. They don’t last as long as hang-dried clothes. Hang-drying clothes is a pleasant activity, it brings you outdoors in your yard or on your balcony – a chance to breathe fresh air and to stretch, and in the winter, your moist clothes can add some humidity to the dry air in your home – no need for a humidifier which uses a lot of energy.
Organically grown food is generally more expensive than its commercial counterparts. At the same time, you can reduce food costs by eating vegetables and fruit that are in season and by eating less meat. (Meat is more expensive than tofu, tempeh, beans, or lentils.) All of this is good for the environment – and good for your health!
We can grow some vegetables ourselves, even if it is just a little herb garden in pots on a balcony.
Our chances of getting cancer are lower when we eat food that is not poisoned by chemicals, and when we clean our house with non-toxic cleaning materials.
Walking and bicycling instead of driving are also good activities for your health and help the environment. Just imagine the financial savings of health care costs!
If you have more ideas about how to save money by living environmentally responsibly, please share them with us! (Send an email to cmuller@wilmetteinstitute.org.)
(1) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 374
(2) The Story of Stuff: A Baha’i-inspired Program for Youth
