Eco-Friendly Freelance Writing

As freelance writers, we spend a great deal of time reading, writing, researching, and commuting. Every day we pore through pages of printed books and magazines, write on notebooks and sheets of paper, photocopy or print out research materials, and drive around places to meet people. Imagine all the paper we consume and the amount of carbon we emit! Not to mention the time and energy we spend when we go out several times a week, even just for a good cup of coffee at Starbucks.Thanks to evolving media technology, we can easily shift to a more eco-friendly way to work and not entirely ruin our routine. Here are five easy tips:1. Work from home. Yup. The statement "telecommuting is green" rings true. If we do most of our writing, reading and research activities at home, we can reduce carbon emission and be proud of our limited carbon footprint. Besides, wouldn't it be cool to work in your pajamas?2. Use recycled and eco-friendly materials for your home office. Consider getting office furniture and equipment made of steel and aluminum. If metallic fashion doesn't appeal to your taste, opt for recycled wood or fiberglass instead. Use both sides of the paper sheet and buy only paper products that are partly or entirely made of recycled pulp.3. Go for handy digital tools. Pen and paper are a writer's best tools. But if you can afford it, upgrade to a digital writing tool (read: iPad!) for taking notes and making lists. A handy PDA (portable data organizer) can also help you save time, space and energy.4. Make your computer your workhorse. Subscribe to a fast Internet connection and turn your computer into a hardworking personal and office assistant. Use online resources and references such as e-books, online dictionary and thesaurus, Wikipedia, etc. You can also consolidate your contact options and information on the Internet (text/voice chat, fax, phone calls, e-mail). By doing these things, you save on printouts and electricity at the same time.5. Schedule several meetings in one day. Make that one big trip once or twice a week to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emission. It's also a great way to save your energy. Remember, there are deadlines to work on at home!6. Promote telecommuting. Share the joy of working from the comforts of your own home. Encourage your writer-friends to telecommute to reduce paper consumption and carbon footprint. Write articles on how telecommuting can save the environment. I just did!