Green Options » web conferencing

Cut Emissions in Half with Telecommuting, Web Conferencing

Cassie Walker — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:53:47 +0000

Working at home sounds great, doesn’t it? With the average Los Angeles commute topping 30 minutes each way, think of what you could do with that extra time. And think of what the environment could do without all of those emissions.

A new report from the World Wildlife Fund indicates that non-manufacturing companies could cut their carbon footprint in half by allowing telework. With more and more companies looking to reduce their eco-impact, a shift towards telecommuting would be a big step forward.

But what about all of those meetings?

Webconferencing: A Green Recession Tactic

Jennifer Kaplan — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:21:47 +0000

Last week the New York Times reported that “Travel Goes the Way of the Dodo at Cisco,” noting that Cisco CEO John Chambers told analysts that the company had saved a lot of money during difficult times by cutting back on travel and increasing web conferencing. Sadly, Chambers didn’t mention that web conferencing is an excellent greening strategy for small businesses. Its a silver lining that the bad economy has led companies to consider alternatives to travel such as web conferencing and teleconferencing.

In fact, if every small business owner in the United States conducted one teleconference in lieu of a domestic business trip, it would save $25.4 billion dollars in travel expenses and 10.5 million tons of C02 in just one year.

If you are interested in web conferencing there are lots of resources on the Internet. You can start with C-Net software reviews. Kolabora is an essential web conferencing resource for those stepping into the field for the first time. ConferZone is good for guidance on web conferencing including terminology, questions to ask when deciding on a web conferencing solution site and the latest web conferencing research. Thinkofit offers a guide to web conferencing services and solutions including topics such as real-time conferencing, collaborative work environments, and book recommendations. Webseminarian provides a comprehensive guide to web conferencing news, reviews, and opinions.

How Do You Really Know Web Conferencing Saves Resources?

Paul Smith — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:00:44 +0000

It’s been said many a time that one way to reduce a company’s footprint is by using web conferencing tools rather than flying everybody to meet in person. Noble, efficient and potentially cost saving as that is, there’s one problem: There’s been no way to quantify just how much of a difference it’s actually making. Sure, saved costs of flight, transport, accommodations are easy to calculate. But how about reduced emissions? And even if you were to know that, how can that be translated into a figure meaningful to our everyday lives?

iLinc has created the Green Meter to give concreteness and life to the abstract. It calculates the CO2, cost, and travel reductions accrued while using their service, down to the individual level. When companies are required to reduce their carbon footprint, whether internally or by the government where they do business, this will prove an invaluable tool. And in this fragile, downwardly spiraling economy, being financially prudent with your expenses will be increasingly important.