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Center for Economic & Policy Research Mark Weisbrot explains how the economy could benefit from people working less.
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Or work less and save the world the new report out by the Center for Economic Policy Research found that cutting our work hours by even half a percent can drastically cut down on carbon emissions -- global warming.
But could shift to European work schedule -- -- country.
Joining me now is mark Weiss brought co director of the center for economic policy and research thanks for coming on the show.
You know it's a little bit of a tough sell right now and there's so many people that are out of work -- you know between -- million people who don't make enough money.
To pay their bills to say that we -- -- even less to save the environment but let's let's give it ago.
I had about this was.
So if I work -- I don't understand where that's better for the environment because when I'm here working at my desk -- new -- -- on the computer.
I'm walking around the office when I'm not working.
I'm in a car and on -- plane going on vacation it seems like I'm using so much more energy my carbon footprint is so much bigger -- I'm not here.
Yes well let me explain first that in terms of employment.
Shorter work hours are also a solution to the unemployment problem partial solutions very important.
And in fact in Germany.
They reduced hours they have program for shorter hours and given employers of choice rather than lay people off and -- collect unemployment compensation you use those funds and others that you keep them on the job.
But when I -- -- always I don't really have -- let you go back as I don't understand how that's a solution because that is what we called the U six number in this country and that's people who are only employed part time.
And are looking for more work because they can't possibly support their family or pay their bills based on how little -- workings you're advocating for more people to work less.
That's their economic benefit that's.
Well we that well it really worked for Germany having their unemployment rate -- that's counting people are looking for work.
There unemployment rate actually fell through the recession even though they lost as much production and output you know GDP as we did.
And they actually lower the unemployment rate -- as we practically doubled -- so and short work was it was definitely a solution.
For them and it's been also.
-- -- talking past each other because I mean you're talking about people they -- they could only be earning the last.
In total wages for the -- -- and earning less -- pay their bills.
I don't know earning less even if it makes the employment number look better because -- more people are dropping out of the workforce that doesn't seem like much as of a solution how people can tell work.
People dropping out of the workforce is people working -- at least I know well.
Who they're well they're they're working fewer hours.
But there -- exactly is not their pay is not reduced by the amount that -- ours are reduced.
So it is -- and believe me -- actually -- overall is their paychecks smaller at the end of the parent and I -- I physics and question their paychecks smaller is that not.
-- but they're a lot better off than they are on the street how are you better job if you can't pay -- else.
Because when you're unemployed.
You're a lot poorer than when -- working thirty something hours -- we.
Why -- we grow the economy and increase productivity and increase GDP and then every one is better off rather than everyone having less and shrinking the -- -- -- -- -- -- I agree that's the best solution but unfortunately our congress doesn't see it that way they're more concerned.
Especially in the house about deficit reduction then they are -- growing the economy if you reduce the deficit you shrink the economy and that seems to be what you know -- No actually -- the CDO put out a report at the beginning of the show that showed exactly the opposite that if you shrink the deficit over time you grow the economy.
That's it they -- -- -- CBO is a nonpartisan group that came out didn't she had map to show exactly the opposite of what you just said.
We started our show we know that -- mark you know what we're out of time.
I would love yeah because we didn't even get to talk about what it was we were supposed to because we got so stuck on this issue.
I hope you come back we can actually do the story.
Okay thank you.
