Networking the Green Economy

Earlier today, March 4, The Communications Workers of America and three of its partner organizations released a report called Networking the Green Economy. The report found that new communication technologies are actually a critical part of making our energy-hungry economy more sustainable and energy-efficient.

CWA joined forces with Speed Matters partners — the Progressive States Network, Sierra Club and the Blue Green Alliance — to release the report at an event on Capitol Hill. In addition to represetatives from  the four organizations who wrote the report, House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Chairman Ed Markey spoke at the event.

The event marked the coming together of representatives from the labor, environmental and technology advocacy worlds in recognizing that we need new alliances to move towards a greener economy. These groups recognize the dire need to include all of our communities in the digital future, so that we can create a networked economy.

Key insights from the report include:

• By transforming the way people and businesses use technology, the United States can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 13 to 22 percent by 2020 - and potentially see gross energy and fuel savings of $140-$240 billion.
• Increasing grid efficiency through real-time monitoring, automation and self-healing capabilities of distribution-level smart grid systems can increase grid efficiency, which results in reduced energy generation and reduced energy use. Energy savings equivalent to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from 53 million cars could be achieved by improving the efficiency of the grid by just 5 percent.
• Allowing various building systems to communicate and interact with each other through smart technologies will thereby reduce energy use and buildings' negative impact on the environment. Through better building design, management and automation, the United States could save $20 to $25 billion in energy use.
• Increased adoption of broadband technology and telehealth practices could decrease travel by allowing doctors to monitor and consult with patients remotely. Telehealth technologies could avoid 850,000 transports between emergency departments, resulting in transit cost savings of $537 million a year.
• However, broadband subscription rates are under 50 percent for some groups, including certain minority populations, rural communities, and households with incomes of less than $50,000 per year. To fully realize a robust green economic future, it will take a firm and long-standing commitment to extend transformative communication technologies, such as broadband, to everyone.

Networking the Green Economy (Speed Matters)