By Eileen Shelby
An increasingly popular idea put forth by some in the fields of technology and human resources is that Online Jobs are Green Jobs. However, this claim remains the subject of some contention. While some in the jobs industry have refused to acknowledge it, this article will explain how online jobs help to conserve resources when compared to traditional employment.
Thanks to recent advances in telecommunications and collaboration technologies such as video conferencing and telepresence, an ever-growing number of employees are able to work from their home offices every year. As mobile and desktop conferencing become more widespread, it becomes increasingly possible and even desirable for even more people to work from home.
Working online is a necessity for people who work in many industries including web design, web development, internet marketing, online tech support, e-commerce, etc. Working online is also possible for a whole host of technology-related fields including: computer programming, software development, medical transcription, bookkeeping, accounting, and other industries. Still other professions including real estate agents and sales reps can opt to do part of their jobs remotely and the rest on site.
Online Jobs Save Fossil Fuels and Money by Reducing the Need for Transportation
One of the major expenses that most professionals face is the cost of commuting. Not only can it be expensive, it is also a drain on environmental resources When an employee is able to work online, they save these costs and resources.
The cost of commuting varies depending on many factors. For instance, low income workers tend to have shorter commutes than people who earn higher incomes. However, many lower income workers cannot typically afford cars that are as well maintained and fuel-efficient as those driven by higher wage earners. Thus, they face the added expense of inferior gas mileage, and they typically consume more gas per mile.
Putting aside income and distance, the average commuter spends close to $1,500 per year on commuting. While this expense includes automotive maintenance and insurance, roughly half of this cost is gasoline. Thus, when a person telecommutes, they save approximately $800 a year on gas. If this figure is divided by $4 per gallon of gas, it means that people who work online save approximately 200 gallons of gas per year. If more workers were able to telecommute, it would provide an incredible benefit to the planet, by diminishing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving finite resources of fossil fuels.
It is also important to consider the effect that traffic congestion has on air quality. The average daily round-trip commute is approximately 32 miles. A drive of this length can create about 20.9 pounds of carbon dioxide per day. Everyday that a person works at home, they reduce their carbon dioxide emissions considerably.
Online Jobs are Green Jobs Because They Encourage People to Eat Out Less
Many workers think nothing of the luxury of visiting a restaurant or ordering out for their daily lunch meal. While restaurants create jobs and are generally beneficial to local economies, they also place a drain on the environment. They duplicate the energy costs involved with the transportation, storage and preparation of food while maintaining spaces that require heating, air conditioning, electricity, and water. Further, they result in employes and customers that need to travel to their location, increasing the burning of fossil fuels and release of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Fast-food establishments and take-out restaurants are the worst offenders. Utilizing plastic cutlery, paper products, and take-away packaging are simply not good for the environment. When a person works from home, they can walk to their kitchen and prepare a meal. In addition to saving money, it reduces environmental damage related to transportation, the disposal of single use plastic cutlery, packaging and paper products. Thus, it helps the planet.
Environmental Problems that Can be Caused by Working From Home
Some analysts claim that many people work from home use electronics, dishwashers and other appliances more often than traditional employees. These activities consume energy, and may negatively impact the environment. Therefore, telecommuters should carefully consider and monitor their home energy consumption.
Online Workers Can Make Their Offices as Green as They Want
Because they are essentially running their own office, telecommuters can also make personal decisions that help to protect the planet. For instance, a conventional office may waste energy and paper by keeping a fax machine plugged in at all times. At home, a worker can opt to use a fax to email service. This saves on electricity, and it all also reduces their paper output. It is easier to make green changes like these when people do not have to worry about a boss or other people who may stand in the way of implementing green ideas.
It is a fact that Online Jobs are Green Jobs. Each worker also has the ability to make their home office as green as they would like it to be. They can look closely at reducing their energy consumption through a variety of methods, but the first step is staying at home.
