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Report: High speed Internet could reduce carbon emissions

High speed Internet not only leads to economic growth, new jobs, widespread educational opportunities, and better access to health care resources, it can help stop global warming. According to Australian telecommunications company Telstra, widespread use of high speed Internet can allow for reductions of carbon emissions.

The report estimates that through extensive use of broadband technology, Australia could reduce carbon emissions by 27 million tons by 2015, which is 5 percent of national emissions.

Sounds impressive.  According to the report, high speed Internet applications that could facilitate emissions reductions include:

  • Using broadband to remotely manage power for appliances by sending a signal to the outlet to turn off, halting the flow of standby power.
  • Real-time freight management that would use broadband-enabled vehicles and load monitoring to reduce empty trips.
  • Use of broadband to reduce the variability of renewable energy supplied from wind and solar sources.
  • Telecommuting to reduce commuter traffic and creating decentralized business districts.

The benefits of high speed Internet are becoming clearer every day. It's time to close the digital divide and finally get universal high speed Internet policy on the books.

Economic Growth & Quality Jobs (SpeedMatters)

Education & Integrated Learning (SpeedMatters)

High speed Internet access & health care (SpeedMatters)

Broadband could cut carbon (The Age)