In our previous posts, we have already discussed why remote work is beneficial and it’s challenges. Today’s post gives a brief overview of the possible effect of remote working on global warming.
One of the main reasons why Sponge Hammer Limited is a fully remote company is to help fight against global warming. Our view is if everybody would do a little against climate change that would be a first step for saving our planet.
Fortunately, more and more people are aware of global warming and take action against it. We all want to see that there is a future for our families on this planet.
We identified five areas, where remote work can help the battle against global warming.
Commuting
Transportation is one of the biggest threats to our climate. Fossil fuel usage during transport is the primary source of carbon dioxide, which acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping the heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
There are options which can reduce CO2 emissions, such as car-sharing, or using public transport. The worst polluters are flying or driving to work alone in the car.
In our case commuting is eliminated entirely as we are working full time from home. This is something we do on purpose.
Energy usage Home vs Workplace
Sun Microsystems reported they had conducted a survey with their employees’ participation in the Open Work Programme.
Their comments on energy savings:
“120-180 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per year saved per employee (80 to 140 kWh/yr working at home, compared to about 260 kWh of energy working in one of Sun’s offices).”
This reinforced our thinking that the energy we use at home is significantly less than working in an office.
Air Pollution
Along with the carbon emission, fossil fuel combustion produces air pollutants. These can seriously affect our health, such as respiratory diseases, heart disease, asthma or cancer.
Telecommuting reduces air pollution as we are not driving to work or use public transport. Every day we are receiving news from every part of the world where cities are shrouded in dangerous smog.
When we need to travel to conferences or to events we always try to choose the least harmful option to the environment.
Paper and Plastic waste
If you are working from home, it is more than likely you will prepare your meals, coffee or tea and you will use your own cutlery. This can cut down the unnecessary packaging.
The world produces 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic each year, and 91% of it isn’t recycled. 39% of this enormous amount comes from the packaging industry. For example, the food we buy on the way to work is in packaging. Just as the hot beverages from the coffee shop come in non-recyclable cups. Even if we pack our food for the day, we need a lunchbox.
All these are additions to the unbelievably huge amount of plastic waste we create every year.
With telecommuting at least some of the above are avoidable.
Final words
Climate change is all around us: the new weather patterns, the unbearable heat or cold spikes, floods and other catastrophic occurrences.
Working remotely will not solve the problem, but it is one option that can help reducing all the harmful effects. We all need to contribute at least a little if we want to save our future.
If you have any comments, ideas or personal experiences, feel free to share with us. We are curious to hear new ideas, solutions, and perspectives regarding the above. Don’t forget to follow us on our social media!
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