Press Release
January 27, 2021
Contact: Jon Conradi
[email protected]

Expanding Access to Connectivity Supports Environmental Sustainability and Helps Reduce Carbon Emissions

Washington, D.C. – On taking office, the Biden Administration set thematics for each day of the new president’s first weeks in office to highlight top priorities for the nation. Each day Connect Americans Now (CAN) will weigh-in with our take — outlining how eliminating the digital divide is critical to achieving these objectives. Today, CAN executive director Richard T. Cullen released the following statement on the administration’s Wednesday focus of addressing climate change.

“Eliminating the digital divide will play an important contributing critical role to combat climate change and must be a top priority for policymakers,” stated Richard T. Cullen, executive director of CAN. “Across a variety of sectors, access to broadband internet empowers innovative solutions that benefit the environment and reduce carbon emissions.”

“Broadband-enabled precision agriculture technology helps America’s farmers increase yields, conserve critical resources and enhance sustainability,” Cullen added. “Connectivity will also support the next generation of energy efficiency and updates to rural electric systems — optimizing power production and the grid.”

A recent study from the Bipartisan Policy Center outlined four key areas in which expanded broadband connectivity helps address climate change: 1) Precision agriculture; 2) Precision forestry; 3) Next generation energy efficiency; 4) Resilient rural electric systems.

Read the Bipartisan Policy Center report on broadband and climate change HERE.

CAN is a coalition of more than 275 organizations and companies representing voices for agriculture, health care, education, small business, technology, veterans, rural advocacy and more — committed to completely and swiftly eliminating the digital divide in America through an all-of-the-above approach.

Read CAN’s statement on the administration’s Tuesday focus on racial equity HERE.

Read CAN’s statement on the administration’s Monday focus on “Buy American” HERE.

Read CAN’s statement on the administration’s Friday focus on rebuilding the economy HERE.

Read more on CAN and our mission HERE.

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