More Americans Are Working From Home — And It’s Better for the Environment
There’s no doubting the transformative power of technology. Advances in tech have led to new and improved entertainment experiences, from allowing us to stream our favorite shows on-demand to immersing us in virtual worlds. They’re changing how we earn a living by making it easier to work remotely, and now, instead of going out to buy stuff, we shop online.
Americans are staying home more, and according to a new study, that lifestyle change is affecting energy consumption.For the study, which was published in the journal Joule, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and the Rochester Institute of Technology analyzed 2003 to 2012 data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS), a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey that compiles information on the daily schedules of some 11,000 Americans.
The team’s study makes one thing clear, though: technology does influence lifestyle and that influence is currently decreasing energy consumption. If the shift in habits and lifestyle continues on its current trajectory, it could play a significant role in the fight against climate change, right alongside decreased fossil fuel consumption and increased usage of clean energy alternatives.
