To many of us, it’s an annoyance. To others, including the biosphere of the Earth, it’s a savior. Scientists at Wakeview University have recently determined a sizable effect of dads that control the thermostat (DCT) in the United States. Specifically, the research team used energy data from 2010 to 2015 and evaluations with a randomly sampled pool of 600 dads across the country to quantify the positive consequences of their cost-saving measures. The team estimates that DCT has slowed the effects of adverse climate change by at least five years directly due to decreased energy usage and indirectly through buy-side impacts to fossil fuel markets.

In a difference-in-difference causal study of their observational data, the Wakeview scientists compared greenhouse gas emissions and energy demand in regions of the US in relation to their proportion of cost-saving dads. The effect was clear, and passed the 5% level of statistical significance. Dads are saving the world.

We spoke to a local father who participated in the study.

“What? Global warming? Honestly the global warming stuff was going to help me out. Wanted to the family to stop bickering about the heat during the winters. But apparently I stopped global warming in the process.” He sighed.

“I’m scratching my head here. Whatever saves the energy bill, I guess.”