Virtually all of the discussions on how to reduce gas consumption and traffic congestion involves increasing the supply: Pump more oil, refine more gasoline, build more roads, more busses, new transit systems.
Yes, we need to do those things and more; but, we can make faster, highly effective gains with very little cost through a relatively painless adjustment in our livestyles. Let's institutionalize the 4-day work week.
Here's what it can do:
*Reduce commuting traffic by as much as 20%
*Reduce gasoline consumption and smog from automobiles by a similar amount.
*Give many families the opportunity to spend more time together, including many 3-day weekends.
*Car engines and tires will last much longer.
Here's what it cost:
*Local, regional, state, and federal bureaucracies will have to spend time and energy devising schedules.
*Some agencies and businesses will probably have to remain on the 5-day work week. Schools are one example.
*Longer work days might pose too much difficulty for some families.
Several states are already devising plans for the 4-day work week. Looking at the concept on a national scale might be very beneficial for our country.
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