Suffolk Homeworkers and Shedworkers
I know a lot of people who work from home locally; either people who run their own business from home or who are employed elsewhere but manage to spend some of their time working from home. As Suffolk is within easy commuting distance to London, Cambridge or Norwich the area lends itself easily to this style of working.
For large companies like BT, homeworking or flexi-working has definitely been touted as an eco-friendly choice: less office space needed and less transport usage. However now that businesses are starting to green up their act in regard to energy efficiency it seems that working from home could increase overall CO2 output if you are not being as energy efficient at home. Uh oh.
The Ampere Strikes Back report from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) said: "The rise in the phenomenon of the home office and the popularity of working from home has led to an increase in the number of homes kitted out with a range of equipment that used to only be seen in the workplace."
By 2020, the EST predicts entertainment, computers and gadgets will account for 45 per cent of electricity used in the home.
What's the answer ?
Hmm ..Recycle all your old high energy consuming PC equipment - have it reconditioned and sent to Africa where they can run up huge bills using it - and increase their very small carbon footprint; buy some whizzy new energy efficient laptop plus add ons (but was it manufactureed in an energy eficient manner - what about the extra use of resources in creating yet more gadgetry ? Were the chips made using ethically sourced minerals ? And how soon will it all be out of date and defunct because there is no more energy left to power anything ?
Well, the Energy Saving Trust have some far more balanced and sensible answers .. so i'll guide you to them !
Mustn't forget those that work from the bottom of the garden - it is after all National Shed Week 2007 - the first ever. See the winner here. Have a look at this blog if you are thinking of being or all ready are a "shedworker". www.shedworkers.co.uk
Be warned - these websites are very addictive ... I want a shed !!!
- Posted by emma on 05/07/2007.
- emma's site
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