U.S. Economic Model Bad For Environment

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/4927

U.S. Economic Model Bad For Environment

By Doug Cunningham

Business news media often touts the U.S. economic model – with long work hours and high consumption - as the best in the world. But for a better quality of life for workers and a better environment the European model is better. That’s according to a new study from the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Mark Weisbrot, Co-Director at the center, says if the world adopts the U.S. model global warming will get worse.

: “You would have an acceleration, a very significant acceleration, of global climate disruption, you know, one or two degrees celsius."

The Center for Economic and Policy Research concludes that the European model is better, delivering a better quality of life while using half the energy per person consumed in the U.S.

: “They've chosen to take their productivity gains in the form of longer vacations, shorter work hours, more holidays - instead of increased income and more consumption."