Broadband and Telecommuting Helping the U.S. Environment and the Economy英文文献资料.docVIP

Low Carbon Economy, 2011, 2, 41-47 41 doi:10.4236/lce.2011.21007 Published Online March 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/lce) Broadband and Telecommuting: Helping the U.S. Environment and the Economy Joseph P. Fuhr , Stephen Pociask 1,2 2 1 2 Economics Widener University Chester, PA, USA; The American Consumer Institute, Washington, D.C., USA. Email: jpfuhr@ Received December 3 , 2010; revised December 20 , 2010; accepted December 29 , 2010. rd th th ABSTRACT This study examines how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. through the widespread delivery of broadband services and the expansion of telecommuting. Telecommuting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years by approximately 588.2 tons of which 247.7 million tons is due to less driving, 28.1 million tons is due to reduced office construction, and 312.4 million tons because of less energy usage by businesses. This paper explores these broadband services and their effects on the environment, specifically as a means to achieve better and cleaner energy use, while enhancing economic output, worker productivity and the standard of living of American consumers. Keywords: Broadband, Economy, Environment, Telecommuting 1. Introduction source, the use of personal vehicles accounts for 30% to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as similar ef- fects on toxic water and air pollutants [4]. The typical personal vehicle produces 5.0 tons of carbon dioxide annually [5], as well as methane, nitrous oxide and vari- ous man-made gases. The roads needed to move vehicles are also a threat to the environment, as they replace for- ests and affect animal habitats. These roads are usually constructed with petroleum components, their mainte- nance ex