,Are Shorter Work Hours Good for the Environment? A Comparison of U.S. & European Energy Consumption

Are Shorter Work Hours Good for the Environment? A Comparison of U.S. & European Energy Consumption


 

Publication Date:

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): David Rosnick; Mark Weisbrot

Research Area: Labor

Keywords: Global warming; Work hours; Paid leave

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

European employees work fewer hours per year -- and use less energy per person -- than their American counterparts. This report compares the European and U.S. models of labor productivity and energy consumption. It finds that if all countries worked as many hours per week as U.S. workers do, the world would consume 15 to 30 percent more energy by 2050 than it would by following Europe's model.