# Telecommuting and the Environment **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telecommuting-and-the-environment/395184 "2007-03-08T23:54:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2007, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telecommuting-and-the-environment/395184/1 "2007-03-08T23:54:25Z")
In an earlier thread someone asked about ways a company can reduce it’s carbon footprint. I recall reading a while back that one thing that could really help the environment is a greater allowance for employees to telecommute. But I don’t have a cite and now wonder if I dreamed the whole thing. So, is greater acceptance of telecommuting, hence keeping cars off the road, a positive environmental step? ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telecommuting-and-the-environment/395184/2 "2007-03-09T05:12:22Z")
Well, most of us leave the thermostat where it is whether we’re home or not, so we might as well use it, right? Telecommuting can certainly save the company/organization money because they don’t have to provide a workspace for everyone, and can still get the same productivity. I currently telecommute about 80% of the time. I will admit, though, that sometimes I find myself tending to personal tasks when I should be “working.” I do, however, tend to do “work stuff” at other times to balance it out. My guess is that telecommuting can save industry a buttload of money as long as they make sure that mopes like me are doing their jobs (and I am - I promise).