Telework/Telecommuting and its interaction with the Environment

Not commuting helps our environment in three ways:

1. It reduces toxic gases pumped/let loose into our atmosphere,
    
2. It reduces chemicals washed into our rivers, streams, reservoirs, wells, estuaries, bays & oceans,
    
3. It reduces the need to have to find new sources of oil and so our reliance on foreign sources (often antagonistic towards the US and its friends).

Every week 32,000,000 Americans could be telecommuting at least one day and so would not drive 1,260,800,000 miles (equal to 51,000 times round the Earth); would save 74,164,700 gallons of gas, worth $111,247,050.

Pollution savings would be 1,081,955,230 lbs, or 540,978 metric tons, of Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Particulate Matter (otherwise known as 'soots') and Hydrocarbons.

Additionally, by not wasting time being stuck in traffic, US telecommuters could be MORE productive to the equivalent of 4,000,000 extra workdays every WEEK (yes, per week!). Productivity increases, typical for telecommuters, would provide a bottom line benefit to the economy of $311 billion yearly.

Documents:

• Article explaining how Telework/Telecommuting helps the Environment.
      An NVTC Voice magazine article, authored by John Edwards, provides some of the metrics that demonstrate how much Telework/Telecommuting help to reduce global warming and postpone and/or reduce the need for transport infrastructure. (1-page)
  
  
• Cap & Trade 101, a Climate Policy Primer
      This in-depth (37 pages) white paper explains how an enforced economy-wide limit on greenhouse gas emissions if well designed (efficient, effective and fair) will stop us treating our atmosphere as a dumping ground. A great primer. Published 9.2008.
  
  
• CEA's Research Datailed report (91 pages).
      CEA's in depth report demonstrating how much Electronics, when used to enable Telework & eCommerce, save energy use.
  
  
• Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) research - how Telework & eCommerce reduce Energy use.
      CEA's press release re its 2007 research findings demonstrating how much Telework and eCommerce reduce Energy consumption.
  
  
• Transport-Related Costs & Benefits Analysis of Air Pollution - (22 pages. revised 2007).
      Report produced by the consistently thorough Victoria Transport Policy Institute of Canada (www.VTPI.org ).
  
  
• What is a Carbon Credit? FAQ
      The World Resources Institute (WRI) describes the similarities & differences between using a carbon tax either as an alternative or as a supplement to a cap-and-trade program; on 2-pages.