The Question

Can being an online student

save the world?

We have met

the enemy…

The (potentially)

Significant Difference

“The Internet and other eLearning methods

have the potential to radically reduce

energy consumption and emissions."

Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), 2005

Driving Change

Distance learning courses result in a

92% reduction in "travel-related”

environmental impact.

Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), 2005

Individual Action

Being an online student can reduce CO2

emissions from roughly 81kg (178.5 lbs)

to about 2kg (4.4 lbs) per student.

Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), 2005

Fueling the Issue

Cost for Gas Carbon

Per student/year $146.30 1,107 lbs

Per class/term $1,219.14 9,226 lbs

Fall 2008 $449,263,968.33 5,099,753,154 lbs

Fueling the Issue

Cost for Gas Carbon

Per student/year $146.30 1,107 lbs

Per class/term $1,219.14 9,226 lbs

Fall 2008 $449,263,968.33 5,099,753,154 lbs

Cutting Costs NOT Trees!

Electronic delivery of distance courses

more than halves paper and print

consumption.

Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), 2005

Textbooks

Every glossy new textbook requires

4.5kWh of energy producing about

6.6lbs of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Carbon Footprint of Digital Print, Exact Editions blog, 2008

Digital Difference

A digital book requires about 1/15 kWh

of electricity generating 0.34lbs CO2 per

reading.

The Carbon Footprint of Digital Print, Exact Editions blog, 2008

Digital Disappointment

Digital Disappointment

Eschew the Classroom

Online learning provided impressive

carbon dioxide savings over

conventional classroom education.

Open University Design Innovation Group (DIG), 2005

Eschew the Classroom

Online learning reduces annual electrical

costs by an average of $229 per student.

Derived from estimated provided by Bowling Green State University

Totaling the Reduction

Online Advantage Cost Savings Carbon Reduction

Gasoline/Travel $449,263,958 2,549,877 tons

Digital textbooks ??? 498,000 tons

Classroom Energy $1,055,390,146 20,364,072 tons

$1,504,654,114 23,411,948 tons

Cashing in on Green

Total carbon reductions of 23 million tons would equate to carbon credits worth

$497 Million

E-Learning is G-Learning

Online Education is one of the

most effective ways an institution

can reduce its carbon footprint.