Calling Al Gore! 4-day week: it's cheap & green
- added May 30, 2008
- 5 responses
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- spunkycarol
- added this
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- related topics
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- Earth and Science (11730)
- Environment (4875)
- Education (980)
- Green (711)
- Pollution (466)
- Work (161)
- Fuel (140)
- 4-Day Week (1)
As I was reading this article about some corporations moving towards a 4-day-work-week to save fuel costs, the CFL lightbulb over my head lit up. I had just listened to Al Gore's recent posting here on Current where he spoke about proposed school budget cuts in California. Why not link these issues together to find a win-win (sorry for using that term) solution.
Start a national movement towards a 4-day work week, along with a 4-day school week. Longer days for all, but fewer of those days. The savings in school bus transportation would be incredible! Plus -- this is a big GREEN boost.
Looking at the Fairfax County Public School System budget (where I reside), the FY'09 budget shows $7.609M budgeted for school bus fuel costs alone. (total school bus transportation costs, including salaries and stuff, are listed at $85.750M). I'm sure the budget did not account for the through the roof fuel prices we're now seeing, so these costs may be much higher.
Now, I don't know how much fuel in used throughout the county per day, but I'm betting that moving to a 4-day work and school week would shave a good deal off those numbers. Perhaps California could look into solving their budget problems using tactics like this. It's worth a shot for the number crunchers to look into it especially with the rapidly rising costs.
While saving $1M here and there might not seem a big deal, I think it IS a big deal when the trade-off is cutting educational services and generating more pollution.
Think Mr. Gore could get this adopted across the country?
Start a national movement towards a 4-day work week, along with a 4-day school week. Longer days for all, but fewer of those days. The savings in school bus transportation would be incredible! Plus -- this is a big GREEN boost.
Looking at the Fairfax County Public School System budget (where I reside), the FY'09 budget shows $7.609M budgeted for school bus fuel costs alone. (total school bus transportation costs, including salaries and stuff, are listed at $85.750M). I'm sure the budget did not account for the through the roof fuel prices we're now seeing, so these costs may be much higher.
Now, I don't know how much fuel in used throughout the county per day, but I'm betting that moving to a 4-day work and school week would shave a good deal off those numbers. Perhaps California could look into solving their budget problems using tactics like this. It's worth a shot for the number crunchers to look into it especially with the rapidly rising costs.
While saving $1M here and there might not seem a big deal, I think it IS a big deal when the trade-off is cutting educational services and generating more pollution.
Think Mr. Gore could get this adopted across the country?
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- spunkycarol
- 3 months ago
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I don't know about Mr. Gore, but personally I think a four day work week sounds like a great idea.
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OMG, teriffic idea!
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- stephenthomson
- 3 months ago
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Ive always wanted to work a 4 day week and now the university I work for is now considering it, woot!
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- rabidlemur
- 3 months ago
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Brilliant idea to save fuel. With longer hours each day we'd actually be more productive. AND for those who work long hours anyway it would be a bonus.
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That is a very good idea. Actually a school in alabama has already turned to a 4 day work week and the county is soon to follow with the businesses.
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- Whitney3590
- 3 months ago
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