Cool Biz Effort Has Employees Sweating

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September 11, 2007

Last month, the presidents of Japan’s three biggest banks insisted that their 1,630 branches nationwide keep office temperatures at a 82 degrees Fahrenheit in order to conserve energy, The Wall Street Journal reports.

If all offices raised their temperatures to 82 from 79.2 degrees between June and end of September, Japan could reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 2.9 million tons over the summer – roughly the amount caused by six million households in a month.

The effort is part of a broader, nationwide program called Cool Biz. This year, involvement grew, with corporate offices, restaurants and even grocery stores raising temperatures.

Some experts say Cool Biz is too hard on the body. One physiology professor said that “82 degrees can be comfortable only if you’re thin, naked and stay still.”