How a longer weekend could save the planet — a modest proposal.

We mentioned a while back that we had ordered a copy of "Workers of the World, Relax," a small book put out by the founder of Canada's Work Less Party. It's a slim, intellectually challenging book that supports a shorter workweek.

(Of course, author Conrad Schmidt only asks for a mere three-day weekend. C'mon, you've gotta aim high, buddy.)

Anyway, what's interesting about this book is its overarching theory that working less could help save the environment.

Now, we have to admit, our motivation in promoting a Five Day Weekend is to get people relaxing and spending more time out enjoying life. But that's not to say there aren't a few other benefits.

Here's Schmidt's thesis statement on how to save the world:

"A great beginning would be to reduce the industrial workweek. We would consume less, produce less, work less, pollute less and live more. Providing that the remaining work be distributed among more people, an industrial slow-down could have the additional benefit of reducing unemployment. This is a simpel concept that has not garnered much attention."

Well amen to that.

To be honest, reading the book is kinda rough sledding, so we won't expand on his whole theory on this blog. You can feel free to pick up a copy yourself if you want to learn more.

But hey, if nothing else, you've got another good argument for more time off. If you work at a hemp clothing store or on a Greenpeace anti-whaling boat, you might really get some traction with this.

And remember, if a three-day weekend could improve the planet, just think what the 5 Day Weekend could do.