The little-known benefit of our summer slump

Europeans have a bit of a stereotype: don't try to work with them in August – they'll all be out of office. The French head for the coast, Scandinavians retreat to their summer cabins, and the British flock to the Spanish Costa del Sol. Data on CO₂ emissions suggests there's some truth to these clichés. While warmer summer temperatures naturally reduce energy demand and emissions, a broader seasonal slowdown across Europe also contributes to lower emissions from the transport, power, and residential sectors. So if your emails are going unanswered this month, don't take it personally – much of Europe simply seems to have put life on pause, and Mother Nature may be appreciating the respite.