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... the average American consumes far more gasoline, electrical energy, and material ressources (to make products of them) than the average European.
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Probably because we work longer hours in turn we want to play often too.
American’s average annual work hours now exceed Europe’s by more than 25 percent. Surprisingly, France has the longest European work hours.
Europe’s shorter work expectations are becoming institutionalized, and hence not likely to change back quickly. Consider the following:
Around six weeks of paid time off is now the annual norm across Europe. This is 2 to 3 times as many paid days off per year than Americans.
Vacation time has nearly doubled since the 1970s in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
France recently extended its three-year law reducing the workweek to 35 hours from 39. The law now includes companies with fewer than 20 employees.
A 2002 Timbro study found that the average European worker took more than 30 days of sick time per year.
According to a New York Times report, on an average day in Norway, 25 percent of Norway’s workers call in sick.
Sit on your buttocks all day and you won't expend much energy.