As an educator who has been working and teaching online for 25 years, the new norm since COVID is working or schooling from home. In recent years, telecommuting, also known as remote work or teleworking along with e-learning systems, has gained significant momentum as a viable alternative to traditional office-based employment and campus education.

Besides its numerous benefits for individuals and businesses, telecommuting also holds great potential in addressing some of the pressing global challenges we face today.

This article explores how telecommuting is positively impacting the environment by reducing pollution, mitigating inner city and population caused climate change, minimizing fossil fuel usage, and lowering energy costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the way people work, leading to a significant increase in telecommuting or remote work and education. The following factors explain how COVID-19 has accelerated this trend.

Firstly, the pandemic necessitated social distancing measures and lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus. As a result, businesses and organizations worldwide were forced to implement work-from-home policies to ensure business continuity. This sudden and widespread adoption of telecommuting and elearning became essential for maintaining productivity while keeping employees safe.

Secondly, the advancements in technology and digital infrastructure played a crucial role in facilitating telecommuting during the pandemic. High-speed internet access, cloud computing, collaboration tools, and videoconferencing platforms became instrumental in enabling remote education and work.

These technologies allowed employees to communicate, collaborate, and access company resources from the comfort of their homes.

A Gallup survey of June of 2022 found that 8 out of 10 people are working hybrid or remote, while only 20% are entirely on-site. A recent AT&T study found the hybrid workers are expected to grow from 42% in 2021 up to 81% in 2024. ^[i]

Thirdly, the pandemic forced students, employers and employees to experience the benefits of telecommuting and e-learning firsthand. Employers discovered that remote work could be just as productive as traditional office-based work, with some studies even suggesting increased productivity in certain cases.

Employees appreciated the flexibility and the elimination of commuting time and associated costs. These positive experiences contributed to a shift in attitudes towards remote work, leading to an increased acceptance and willingness to continue telecommuting even after the pandemic.

As of 2020, about 15% of all U.S. college students attended primarily online institutions, but COVID may have boosted that figure permanently. ^[ii] There are many excellent online accredited universities for skills, degrees and graduate education such as Texas A&M Law School , Aspen University or Colorado Technical University .

Moreover, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital transformation initiatives by organizations. Companies and educators had to quickly adapt their operations to function remotely, leading to the implementation of new tools and processes that support telecommuting. This rapid transformation created a foundation for sustained telecommuting beyond the pandemic.

Lastly, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for changing societal norms around school and work. As remote work and school became the norm during the pandemic, it challenged traditional notions of work that were centered around physical office spaces.

This cultural shift has made telecommuting more acceptable and normalized, with many organizations now considering hybrid work models that combine remote and in-office work.

Reducing Pollution

One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of telecommuting is its ability to reduce inner-city and urban pollution levels. By eliminating or minimizing the need for daily commuting to offices, telecommuting significantly curbs the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Transportation is a major contributor to air pollution, and by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, telecommuting helps combat smog, particulate matter, and harmful emissions, resulting in cleaner and healthier air for everyone.

Mitigating Urban Pollution’s Climate Results

Telecommuting plays a crucial role in the fight against urban climate change. By reducing commuting-related carbon emissions, telecommuters help to mitigate the greenhouse effect and curb inner-city pollution and warming. Population and the transportation sector are significant contributors to emissions, and telecommuting offers a viable solution to reduce these emissions.

The collective impact of reduced pollution in cities can be substantial, leading to a more sustainable future and a positive step towards achieving global climate goals.

Minimizing Fossil Fuel Dependency

Traditional commuting relies heavily on fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel to move taxis, electric cars, or subways in big cities. Telecommuting reduces the demand for fossil fuel consumption associated with transportation, leading to a decrease in oil and gas consumption.

By embracing telework, individuals and organizations contribute to the preservation of fossil fuels and encourage the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. ^[iii]

Lowering Energy Costs

Telecommuting not only benefits the environment but also offers economic advantages. Both employees and employers can experience substantial savings in terms of energy costs. With fewer individuals commuting to work, there is a decreased demand for energy in transportation, resulting in lower consumption of fuel.

Additionally, telecommuters can reduce their energy consumption at home by adopting energy-efficient practices, further lowering their utility bills. Similarly, businesses can save on office space, heating, cooling, and electricity expenses, leading to significant cost reductions. ^[iv]

Conclusion

Telecommuting and e-learning ^[v] presents a compelling case for promoting sustainability, combating pollution, and fostering environmental stewardship in highly populated areas. While the USA is only 4% of the global population, the USA is decades ahead of the rest of the world with combating pollution. ^[vi]

By reducing pollution levels, minimizing fossil fuel dependency, and lowering energy costs, telecommuting emerges as a powerful tool in building a greener and more sustainable future.

As I was a White House Commissioner for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program 2019-22 and an e-learning pioneer over the last 25 years, I discovered that there are many efficiencies to telework and online education.

However, there were weaknesses with youth who were locked down with e-learning.

That said, I did learn through research that a balanced life of diet, exercise, sports, sleep and work related occupational therapy ^[vii] seems to boost the well-being of young high-performing online students.

While telecommuting or e-learning are not a one-size-fits-all solution, its ever growing potential to positively impact the environment and city pollution is undeniable. Governments, businesses, and individuals should collaborate to create supportive policies, infrastructure, and technological advancements that facilitate the growth of telecommuting.

Moreover, telecommuting and decentralizing our government may also be able to dramatically reduce the cost of government, reduce salaries, and reduce overpriced office space costs. ^[viii] Embracing remote work not only benefits individuals and organizations but also contributes to a cleaner, healthier planet for generations to come.

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Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CILS CWM® is an international lawyer, speaker, educator, tax-economist, and CEO of the GAFM Global Academy of Finance & Management ®. The GAFM is a ESQ accredited graduate body that trains and certifies professionals in 150+ nations under CHEA ACBSP and ISO 21001 standards. Mentz is also an award winning author and graduate law professor of wealth management for a top U.S. law school.

^[i] Remote Work Statistics & Trends: The Latest in Remote Work | FlexJobs

^[ii] Telework during the COVID-19 pandemic: estimates using the 2021 Business Response Survey : Monthly Labor Review: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)

^[iii] Rise of remote working is 'biggest threat to oil demand,' says analyst (cnbc.com)

^[iv] A systematic review of the energy and climate impacts of teleworking - IOPscience

^[v] The Rise Of Online Learning In The U.S. – Forbes Advisor

^[vi] World’s Top Emitters Interactive Chart I World Resources Institute (wri.org)

^[vii] What is occupational therapy? - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

^[viii] Will Remote Work Drain the Swamp? | Government Solutions (capitolmarkets.com)