Stop Global Warming by Working Less: New Study

Sit back, relax and save the planet? A new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) says that cutting back on work hours could help prevent global warming.

The report found that an annual .5 percent reduction in work hours would cut between eight and 22 percent of every degree of warming from now until 2100. This .5 percent reduction in work hours is essentially cutting down 10 hours a year or 12 minutes a week, for those who work a 40-hour week.  Although the general consensus is that 40 to 60 percent of potential global warming is essentially locked-in, as much as half of the rest could be cut through playing more. Needless to say, that's a huge amount.

The author of the study, economist David Rosnick, examined the relationship between less work and lower emissions. In particular, he found that if Americans followed the European work model, they would be able to cut emissions. This model includes taking more holidays, leave and vacation time. Currently, the U.S. follows the model of less vacation time and increased production.

However, there are some issues with his analysis. Rosnick did not account for the growing trend of telecommuting, which will drastically reduce transportation emissions. In addition, he didn't account for what sort of activities people will engage in during their leisure time; potentially, they could create far more emissions than at work.

Even if the study has its flaws, though, there is the argument that more paid vacation time is always a good thing.