As someone who avoids ties whenever possible, I was happy to see that my desire to not feel strangled may be spun as green behavior. From the AP wire:
Chile’s energy warriors went for the throat on Thursday, urging men to shun neckties so that offices could ease up on air conditioning.
Government workers will not be required to wear ties or jackets in summer, and officials hope the private sector will follow suit, Deputy Economy Minister Ana Maria Correa said. Chile is a socially conservative country where men typically dress formally for work.[...]
“In 2005 instructions on proper dressing and adequate use of air conditioners during summer in Japan resulted in considerable reduction of power consumption and of CO2 emissions,” he said.
I wonder what those folks would make of the “resort casual” dress code observed during the summer at one of the offices I work out of.