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This study advances sociological research on the environmental impacts of working hours. Proponents of economic degrowth propose that a reduction in working time slows economic growth, which yields both social and environmental benefits. Building on such arguments, the authors conduct longitudinal analyses of the effects of average annual working hours on total energy consumption for samples of both developed and developing nations, and assess the extent to which the effect of working hours on energy consumption changes through time. The results suggest that the effect of working hours on energy consumption has increased through time, and this trend is observed for the samples of both developed and developing nations. The authors conclude by discussing the theoretical and policy implications of the findings.

The authors investigate the relationship between U.S. state-level residential carbon emissions and income inequality for the 1990-2012 period. Results of the analysis indicate a positive association between emissions and income inequality-measured as the Theil index-and these findings hold across a variety of model estimation techniques and net of the effects of other established human drivers of emissions. The authors conclude by underscoring the need for more research on the effects of income inequality on carbon emissions and other related environmental outcomes.

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Studying how people understand and develop concern for environmental problems is a key area of research within environmental sociology. Previous research shows that numerous social factors have measurable effects on environmental concern. However, results tend to be somewhat inconsistent across studies on this topic. One possible explanation for this is because these social factors are typically examined as independent from one another. However, these factors are interrelated in complex ways, as shown by research on the moderating effects of race and political ideology on education. Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), this study examines the complex ways in which previously identified social factors interact with one another to affect environmental concern. The findings suggest that aside from political ideology, all of the other factors should be understood in combination with others. The findings also suggest equifinality and asymmetry as there are multiple distinct pathways to environmental concern.