In honor of Earth Day and the rising priority that consumers and responsible corporate citizens are placing on the health of our planet, NextGenWeb is dedicating itself to sustainability issues for the week of April 21st.   Our goal:   To raise awareness of the many ways broadband can help us all go green.   In our personal and professional lives, each of us can make a difference.   Here are 10 ways broadband can help.

• E-shop  €˜til you drop: E-commerce generates 36% less conventional air pollutants, 23% less hazardous waste and 9% fewer greenhouse gases.  1

• Swap freeway time for family time:   Telecommuting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 600 million tons over 10 years, saving 44 billion gallons of gas  2 and giving non-commuters the equivalent of up to four additional weeks of vacation.  2 & 3

• Take your avatar to work:   If just 10% of air travel were replaced by teleconferencing, we could reduce CO2 emissions by 200 million tons.  4

• Skip the ink stains: Shifting to online newspaper subscriptions can help prevent nearly 60 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.  5

• Point, click and pay: If all U.S. households viewed and paid their bills online, we could save 16.5 million trees each year.  6

• Don’t let your gadgets go to waste: Recycling electronic equipment can help prevent 70% of toxic waste in America’s landfills.   130 million cell phones are retired each year in the U.S. alone €¦and just 1% are recycled.     Visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com for a free shipping label and donate your old cell phone today. 7

• Give your PC some ZZZZs: Turn off your computer and peripherals at night, over the weekend and especially for extended absences.   And, select eco-friendly Energy Star power management features.   Hint:   According to the Department of Energy, the popular belief that turning your computer on and off shortens its lifespan is a myth.

• Recycle your phonebook: If all Americans recycled their phonebooks, we could save 650,000 tons of paper each year.

• Download for the earth: By downloading an album rather than purchasing a CD, you can help save 42 million gallons of oil.  8

• Skip the stamp, save a tree:   Between 2002 and 2006, first class mail declined by 5.9 billion pieces, saving 4.4 million trees.     Start a green revolution of your own and connect with friends, colleagues and loved ones digitally, giving our planet a much-needed break. 9
    

1   Michael W. Toffel and Arpad Horvath, “Environmental Implications of Wireless Technologies: News Delivery and Business Meetings,” Environmental Science and Technology, 2004, citing Matthews, p. A.  
2   Broadband Services: Economic and Environmental Benefits, Joseph P. Fuhr and Steven B. Pociask, American Consumer Institute, 10/31/07
3   2004-2005 Salary Survey, Sage, 10/10/2005
4   Fuhr and Pociask, 2
5   Fuhr and Pociask, 2
6   Javelin Strategy and Research as cited in “You can save trees by viewing and paying bills online,” USA Today, 7/30/2007
7   “E-Waste: A Recyclable Resource,” Earth 911 Blog, 10/8/2007
8   Fuhr and Pociask, 31
9   Fuhr and Pociask, 31