Green Thing Blog

I came across some fascinating findings on Grist the other day, that spoke about a study that examined correlation between Google searches for climate change and unemployment rates. Basically, the higher the unemployment rate is, the less people Google 'global warming'. Instead, when unemployment rates are high, people Google 'employment'. Here is some of the article's abstract:

"Building on recent research that finds internet search terms to be useful predictors of health epidemics and economic activity, we find that an increase in a state’s unemployment rate decreases Google searches for “global warming” and increases searches for “unemployment,” and that the effect differs according to a state’s political ideology. From national surveys, we find that an increase in a state’s unemployment rate is associated with a decrease in the probability that residents think global warming is happening and reduced support for the U.S to target policies intended to mitigate global warming. Finally, in California, we find that an increase in a county’s unemployment rate is associated with a significant decrease in county residents choosing the environment as the most important policy issue."

According to this research, we need things to worry about. When faced with multiple sources of worry, including unemployment, then global warming ceases to be a main concern to personal risk, and financial stress dominates. It will be very interesting to know how many people have lost their job because of climate change. Or how many people Google climate change employment.

Now I think the importance lies in how global warming remains a worry (as understood by a Google search) for people constantly, rather than just when they need to worry about something.

And to think that all of this came from observing people's Googling...

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Despite the massive progress in technology in the last couple of decades most of us still travel to our place of work every day rather than working from home. Obviously while there are some jobs that require being there in person, many don't and there are numerous benefits, like a reduction in carbon, to be had if we were all allowed to work from home in our pyjamas. Ways2work is a new scheme that helps individuals, organisations and companies find smarter ways of travelling.

It has been said that it is simply because bosses want to keep an eye on their employees while they work that many people are obliged to travel to their place of employment every day. Working from home means the time saved by not sitting on a crowded tube train or in a traffic jam can be put to much better use, increasing productivity.

Obviously not having to commute reduces stress and a happy worker is a productive worker!  Aside from improving health, reduced travel means lower carbon emissions, benefiting the environment too.

If working from home is not an option then perhaps flexible hours are. This would mean traveling out of peak hours, on trains so commutes are bearable and not so crowded and travel times are shorter and therefore reducing carbon emissions. Don't forget too, that if you take the tube or train to work you'd only be paying off-peak rates, saving you money.

If neither working from home or flexible hours is an option why not walk or cycle. Walking to work is free, less stressful than commuting and good for you! And you can listen to this fabulous Walkcast on your way. If walking's too slow then check out the government's Cycle to Work scheme where you can buy a tax-free bike and pay for it in installments.

Ways2Work also tries to find ways to get people to stay grounded by encouraging the use of teleconferencing services so they don't need to go off jetsetting.

For more ways to  your working day take a look at Ways2work.

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Do The Green Thing, quite possibly the most creative, inspiring environmental group on the planet, is looking for a smart, passionate, connected, enthusiastic and energetic Site Editor, based in London. This is a full-time position.

About Do The Green Thing (registered charity number 1125013)

We’re a non-profit that believes in using world-class creativity vs. climate change – inspiring people to lead a greener life with brilliant videos and stories from creative people and community members around the world. Do The Green Thing’s mission is to reframe greener living as smart, sexy, fashionable and fun and something worthwhile on its own terms.

About you

You’re an active and connected spreader of ideas and swim with elegant ease in the sea of social media.  You blog, tweet, Tumbl, Stumble, check in, like and view. You live and breathe all things sustainable and creativity in general and are able (and influence others) to write with wit, authority, passion and clever observation about a wide range of inspiring ideas to lead a greener life. You can spot what makes a sustainable idea (for a new product or service or way of living) or a piece of creative inspiration about greener lifestyles unique, and tell its story in a way that makes Do The Green Thing members smile and think and act – in other words it inspires them to actually DO something about the idea and put it into practice.

You’ll be working directly with Kim, who runs Do The Green Thing operations, Jo, our project manager, Liv our creative producer and a team of amazing creative contributors (designers, copy-writers, film-makers, advertising creative’s, etc), as well as the founders Andy and Naresh.

For more information please download the following:

SITE EDITOR JOB SPEC

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(Image: Techmonkeys)

The internet is an amazing, magical thing. It has brought the joy of cat videos, skype and tips like how to open a wine bottle without a bottle opener into our lives. But it also means we can work remotely.

Working from home (or the nearest field if it takes your fancy) is becoming more and more popular. And now with the launch of Anywhere Working's new Foursquare app, you can see for yourself the benefits of working from anywhere.

The app is a carbon calculator which enables you to see how much time, money and CO2 you can save if you work remotely. The conclusion is that staying at home, working in your pjs and not listening to Jane from Finance blabber on about her love life is good for the environment.

So if your work allows for it (i.e. you're not a waitress as it'd be difficult to serve tables sitting on the couch) why not try working remotely for a few days a week? You'll thank us when you're getting an extra 30 minutes in bed in the morning...

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Programs like Skype are perfect for attending meetings across the globe whilst sat on your sofa in your pants (just be careful where that camera is pointing).

But sometimes you need more of a physical presence and whilst your face might be projected onto the wall in the board room, you can't wander around the office and chat to your international colleagues.

What you really need is some kind of moving Skype robot like Shelden has in The Big Bang Theory.

Oh look, we found one.

(All images: screengrabs from DoubleRobotics)

Double Robotics is a wheeled robot that you can attach to an iPad. It rolls around at your command, joking by the water cooler, checking out the factory floor and even going to art galleries. That must be on your lunch break.

It's the latest way to Stay Grounded and stay in your boss's good books.

And live the future of your childhood dreams.

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