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Wed, 20 Dec 2006

Save The Planet: Less is More, Work Smarter Not Harder

Tonight in Common Dreams, I learned that according to a report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the American habit of long work hours isn't virtuous at all, but in fact uses vast amounts of energy - unnecessarily in my view.

"The report outlines how worldwide energy patterns could be dependent on which model developing countries choose in the next few decades. If all countries worked as many hours per week as U.S. workers do, the additional carbon emissions could substantially increase the pace of global warming. Alternately, there is the possibility of the reverse outcome: that the United States could move more in the direction of Europe's fewer work hours, which would significantly reduce energy consumption."

Are we really that much better off than the rest of the world, working the long hours required in the American work place? Are we healthier and happier, less prone to stress related illness, enjoying rich personal and family lives? No, we're not. We eat at McDonalds, we drive in our cars instead of exercising, we breathe stale office air all day long, we're overweight and sick, our spare time is spent at the mall disposing of the income we work so hard for. And don't forget the above-mentioned excess energy consumption.

This seems to be a new twist on environmentalism. Work less and save the planet. Save yourself too, while you're at it. Ride a bike, walk, work at home, get more rest, go veg, read cookbooks, talk to your kids, shop at the farmers market, take up slow cooking, meditate. Work smarter not harder.