remote workers often drive more often than their in-office counterparts by taking several short car trips throughout the day.
The researchers also found that working from home can prompt people to use more energy over the course of a workday
Biking to a nearby coffee shop with your laptop, for example, is an extremely carbon-efficient way to work.
The study’s authors also point out that office buildings can be made greener. If older buildings were revamped with more energy-efficient appliances and put on a decarbonized grid, then in-office work could match the greenhouse gas emissions of working from home. Taking public transit can also contribute significantly to reducing an individual’s carbon footprint, even if they are working from an office.
So yes, your commute can make up more than half of your footprint, IF you otherwise avoid any and all big emitters in your life.
If you eat meat, use air travel or cruise ships, own a car or another fossil fueled vehicle, have a big home (which may not feel big for you), have kids, waste food, then your footprint will be affected much less by wether you work from home or commute.
Obligatory disclaimer: The climate crisis is a systemic crisis and cannot be solved on the individual level. Vote, voice, organize, disrupt.
I completely agree that the crisis has a systemic nature and it’s no going to be fixed through personal choices. I do think forcing people to commute to work is an example of a systemic problem though. It’s ultimately employers who are making this decision, and after the pandemic we know perfectly well that many jobs that require people to come to the office can be done remote. Forcing companies to facilitate remote work would benefit the employees and the environment.
So yes, your commute can make up more than half of your footprint, IF you otherwise avoid any and all big emitters in your life.
If you eat meat, use air travel or cruise ships, own a car or another fossil fueled vehicle, have a big home (which may not feel big for you), have kids, waste food, then your footprint will be affected much less by wether you work from home or commute.
Obligatory disclaimer: The climate crisis is a systemic crisis and cannot be solved on the individual level. Vote, voice, organize, disrupt.
I completely agree that the crisis has a systemic nature and it’s no going to be fixed through personal choices. I do think forcing people to commute to work is an example of a systemic problem though. It’s ultimately employers who are making this decision, and after the pandemic we know perfectly well that many jobs that require people to come to the office can be done remote. Forcing companies to facilitate remote work would benefit the employees and the environment.