High gas prices are a good thing
The price of gas has just recently surpassed the previous (inflation adjusted) record price from 1981, and many are worried that further increases are on the horizon. Some are frustrated. Others, determined to fight back, are no doubt planning an ingenious one-day facebook-organized gas boycott that could potentially ruin the big oil companies (if only the principles of economics would completely reverse themselves for just one day). I, meanwhile, am filling up my tank with a complacent smile on my face, because I am convinced that high gas prices are a good thing.
I'll admit, the thought of having to shell out ever more cash for my weekend excursions to South Bumblefuck, NY does not bring a smile to my face. However, the realization that expensive fuel is really what is good for our planet does fill me with joy, or optimistic ambivalence at the very least.
No, I'm not going to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude and tell you that you're an asshole if you drive a luxury car with a 6-liter engine or you use your behemoth of a pickup truck to drive to work - I really don't care. In fact, I support your freedom to drive whatever you want, even if you're wasting gas. The only problem is that when gas is cheap, everyone can afford to waste it. If it were just a few muscle-car enthusiasts with gas-guzzling carbureted 427's under their hoods, the environmental impact really wouldn't be a big deal. But when everyone can afford to have an 8-cylinder Hummer/F-150/Camaro that they use to drive to work (by themselves) or the grocery store, it really adds up.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to drive a car with a big engine. In fact, I think for most people, even people who are environmentally-aware - if you gave them a billion dollars, they'd go out and buy the biggest fanciest gas-hog they could find. There are plenty of snobs driving around in hybrid cars nowadays eager to put on a big display of their compassion for the environment, showing everybody how much they care about being "green". If gas was $0.25 a gallon, though, most of these people would be singing a completely different tune. Conclusion: people bought fuel-efficient cars because of the financial advantages, and then some of them picked up the snobbishly self-righteous attitude afterward because it made them feel good.
Most people probably care more about driving a big (or fast) car than they do about their small contribution to the quality of the air, but there is an undeniable correlation between rising gas prices and demand for more fuel efficient cars. In general, money motivates people and efficiency does not. It's a "tragedy of the commons" type problem, and no one is really at fault. However, abundance creates waste, and no matter how you look at it pricey gas is the only solution that will help ensure you're kids don't have to spend their lives choking on smog. Expensive gas means less air pollution and waste produced by automobiles, and increased development and use of public transportation systems.
...and if gas prices still frustrate you, just thank whatever gods you believe in that you don't live in Germany.
I'll admit, the thought of having to shell out ever more cash for my weekend excursions to South Bumblefuck, NY does not bring a smile to my face. However, the realization that expensive fuel is really what is good for our planet does fill me with joy, or optimistic ambivalence at the very least.
No, I'm not going to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude and tell you that you're an asshole if you drive a luxury car with a 6-liter engine or you use your behemoth of a pickup truck to drive to work - I really don't care. In fact, I support your freedom to drive whatever you want, even if you're wasting gas. The only problem is that when gas is cheap, everyone can afford to waste it. If it were just a few muscle-car enthusiasts with gas-guzzling carbureted 427's under their hoods, the environmental impact really wouldn't be a big deal. But when everyone can afford to have an 8-cylinder Hummer/F-150/Camaro that they use to drive to work (by themselves) or the grocery store, it really adds up.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to drive a car with a big engine. In fact, I think for most people, even people who are environmentally-aware - if you gave them a billion dollars, they'd go out and buy the biggest fanciest gas-hog they could find. There are plenty of snobs driving around in hybrid cars nowadays eager to put on a big display of their compassion for the environment, showing everybody how much they care about being "green". If gas was $0.25 a gallon, though, most of these people would be singing a completely different tune. Conclusion: people bought fuel-efficient cars because of the financial advantages, and then some of them picked up the snobbishly self-righteous attitude afterward because it made them feel good.
Most people probably care more about driving a big (or fast) car than they do about their small contribution to the quality of the air, but there is an undeniable correlation between rising gas prices and demand for more fuel efficient cars. In general, money motivates people and efficiency does not. It's a "tragedy of the commons" type problem, and no one is really at fault. However, abundance creates waste, and no matter how you look at it pricey gas is the only solution that will help ensure you're kids don't have to spend their lives choking on smog. Expensive gas means less air pollution and waste produced by automobiles, and increased development and use of public transportation systems.
...and if gas prices still frustrate you, just thank whatever gods you believe in that you don't live in Germany.
posted by jester at 9:53 PM
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