Telepresence
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Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: September 28, 2023
Articles/Websites
Scientist Reviewed
9101112AP
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource is currently being revised by Project Drawdown but you can still research many of the other solutions in detail on their new Drawdown Explorer page.
- This article explores the importance of teleconferencing and its direct correlation to reducing climate change emissions.
- It details that instead of flying or traveling to business destinations for meetings or regular work, companies can encourage employees to telecommute, thus reducing emissions.
- The projected data is analyzed to provide evidence for a cost-efficient climate solution for organizations.

Subjects: Social Studies, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The information is presented in a scientific paper format, with a clear cause-and-effect framework.
- This article is useful for any discussion related to transportation emissions and climate change, especially regarding the environmental impact of business air travel.
Additional Prerequisites
- Vocabulary is rigorous, so a definition list would be appropriate.
- Students should have a basic understanding of telecommuting.
Differentiation
- To introduce this article, teachers can engage classes in a discussion about the personal and professional benefits of telecommuting.
- For small-group instruction, students can work together on taking notes on each section and then discussing each section together.
- Probability and statistics connections can be made in Math classes, as there are a number of data points to evaluate about costs, benefits over time, and emissions reductions.
- This article can supplement a science lesson regarding human impacts on the environment and health classes could discuss the co-benefit mentioned in the article of less time spent commuting.
- Students in English or language arts classes can use the article to evaluate author's purpose, scientific writing styles, or as practice for reading larger scientific papers.
- Connections can be made in social studies classes as students discuss the effects of telecommuting on both individuals and professional organizations.
This resource introduces a solution to reducing emissions by using software and hardware technologies that a lot of students have become familiar with, in addition to furthering the abilities of virtual reality and augmented reality. A brief introduction of reducing emissions by reducing business-related trips with the ability to join meetings digitally. A methodology, scenarios, and models are provided, along with a results and discussion section concerning the feasibility of using new technologies to reduce emissions. The resource would be a great addition to a lesson discussing alternative methods to reducing carbon emissions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider

Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
