CA Green Technology Initiative launches, bridging digital divide

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3 days ago

(FOX40.COM) — The California Green Technology Initiative officially launched Monday morning in West Sacramento. The program looks to reduce e-waste and provides technology to Californians in need.
The California Emerging Technology Fund kicked off the initiative at West Sacramento City Hall. The initiative will collect unwanted technology devices, refurbish them, and get them into the hands of residents who need them most.
'In the world of a digital era, and especially knowing that so many services these days are expected to be delivered digitally, we in the State of California felt that level of responsibility to make sure that we're doing everything that we could,' said Amy Tong, Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin Newsom.
The goal of the California Green Technology Initiative is to reduce e-waste by repurposing old tech and distributing refurbished devices.
'The hope and the vision has been we're going to get everybody online in California. We have performance metrics where our goal in the next five years to get 99% of all Californians online,' said Sunne McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund.
'It's pretty significant,' said West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero. Mayor Guerrero says many local families lack reliable, affordable internet access.
'We just have a lot of children who don't have access to the internet, including their families for work, and our elderly for those that need to get access to their medical services,' she said. 'What we continue to need to do is to establish affordable internet service here in West Sacramento.'
The initiative does just that, working with local and state non-profits to provide free or low-cost devices to low-income households. McPeak says the program is targeting California's digital divide.
'Average in california, 91% of all households are online. For low income households, it's 84% of all households. So that gap between the average and any other segment of our population is called a divide,' she said.
That gap is caused by barriers like poverty, language, and age. The initiative addresses those challenges not just through tech devices but also with digital literacy classes and support services.
Technology is really only a tool. What gives it power is when people know how to use it.
Sunne McPeak, President and CEO of California Emerging Technology Fund
It's also a big win for the environment by reducing e-waste, while opening doors for residents across the state.
'They can save time, they can save money, the kids can do their homework at home. We can all connect to our doctor online if we want to. We can apply for a job, get a better job. That is our goal,' McPeak said.
Here in Sacramento, Computers 4 Kids is the regional partner that's refurbishing devices and offering digital literacy classes.
For more information on how to take advantage of this program, click here.
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