How High Gas Prices Will Help Our Environment
Bring on the High Gas Prices!
Resources for the Future, a Washington Think Tank, says that as people continue to pay more at the pump, they will eventually buy smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. I have to agree-as soon as I can unload my Explorer, I will be cramming my two children back into a subcompact car, for sure! Apparently, I will not be alone-the market for small cars is growing, which is encouraging innovation car manufacturers to produce more stylish, and more varied, small car models. This particular think tank is adamant that gas prices have to stay high in order to produce a permanent change in buying habits; so I am hopeful every time I drive by a gas station that the prices continue to hover around $3 a gallon-on a good day, I notice one or two stations that charge even more.
Another reason that I am hoping that gas prices stay high is that it means that fewer refineries are being built, and that the current refineries continue to be completely inefficient. The federal government is pushing hard for alternative sources of fuel, and if there is less profit to be made in oil-and more in such areas as ethanol-then that is where the business dollars will be invested. Oil companies, as they receive fewer and fewer federal subsidies for research and development, will not be building many new refineries anytime soon. That means that supply will continue to fall below demand, and the price of gasoline will steadily creep up and up and up...
So, the next time you moan about how high the price of gas is, and question everyone around you about when they think the price of gas will fall, take a step back and change your way of thinking. The choices we are making now-whether they are choices of convenience or choices of conscience-will forever affect generations to come. I know that my own grandchildren will be grateful that I consider it a pleasure to spend a larger percentage of my income on gasoline; if that means that in the future we create cleaner, more sustainable means of fueling our modern lifestyle. In a few years, when I smash my growing kids into the back of a hybrid that runs on electricity and ethanol, I will smile and know that all of this temporary inconvenience was worth it.
Published by April Hall
I am a graduate student, teacher, wife, and mother who is building a freelance writing/editing business. View profile
- Gas Prices DipAnother quick look into how supply and demand really do govern the price of gas.
Where to Get the Cheapest Gas Prices in Los Angeles, Vicinity & Nation WideAn outstanding online tool to keep you updated about the gas prices nation wide or in any specific location. Don't drive anymore, browse the cheapest prices online.- Gas Prices Have Wide Ranging EffectsThe effects of gas prices have been seen far and wide.
One More Search I Can Use Google For: Finding Great Gas Prices Rising gas prices across the nation requires consumers to be more gas price shopping savvy to find the best and closest gas price near your home or work try Google Gas finder on...- Why Does Google Return Thousands More Results Than Webcrawler with the Words, "Gas...Gas Prices. It was a simple search regarding two very simple words and yet this search led to an interesting question. Please read and respond if you have the answer.
- High Gas Prices, Buy a Hybrid
- Ethanol Fuel, Lessening the Reliance on Gasoline
- Ethanol: Alternative Gasoline Fuel
- Do Solutions to the High Gas Prices Exist?
- Are High Oil Prices Really that Bad?
- How to Survive High Gas Prices, and How the Presidential Candidates Plan to Help
- Looking Ahead: $10-Per-Gallon Gas Prices as a Golden Opportunity for the U.S
9 Comments
Post a CommentYour article turned the high gas prices into something positive. Your article has some great points but ethanol might not be helpful because it has already been proven to be worse than gas.
whoever wrote this is obviousley high!
Your article accomplishes at least two goals: to demonstrate than there are many ways to view the gas price fiasco...and to demonstrate than there are may ways to view the gas price fiasco. What I mean is, there is the way many people think of it--as a daily economic concern, and there is your viewpoint. By presenting your viewpoint, you open the door to even more out-of-the-box thinking. I think that is a good thing.
I guess there is a silverlining to every gray cloud. Another positive side effect of the gas price crunch is that there are fewer fatalities on the road. I know that I drive less, reducing my chances of being in an accident. Thank you for sharing your outlook.
We should have done this long time ago to be prepared for what is happening now!
The gas prices are hurting the economy now, but it will actually help for the future. The alternative energy investment should have taken place much earlier. But, better late than never.
I still remember when I got my license, gas was actually less than a dollar a gallon. I moved out of the states when gas was at about $2.70. I haven't had to drive to work in three years now. And when I move back to the states, I will still have the same car I had when I was 17--my Honda Civic with a 12-gallon tank. Even with the high prices, I wouldn't have to suffer too much.
wrd
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense. Ethanol is an irresponsible path, as shown by food prices going up (how can food keep up with demand when you are using some to fuel vehicles?) and the price of gas going up affects many other industries such as shipping and tourism.
Cramming kids into the back of a subcompact won't do anything except you make you feel better about what you're doing. If you don't have enough room for your kids in the back of your car, they won't be happy. It's sad that you are taking pride in "smashing your kids into the back of a subcompact".
The U.S. government is NOT looking for alternative sources with any sense of urgency, and haven't been since Bush took over Office in 2001. And working refineries and gas are needed until we can get a new and improved energy plan off the ground. Lower prices help sustain our economy, meaning people can buy more. When people can't buy much, places close, jobs are lost, and the economy does worse.
I'm not sure I agree with everything you present, but is nice to hear someone put a positive spin on the gas price issue.