Topic : ANYONE ELSE SICK OF GAS PRICES? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!

I assume you're trying to make some sort of joke in the same way my remark about Al Gore was a (well known) joke? 

  

Bit difficult to discern if you're actually being serious or not, hope you're not ;) 

Dear ritehere and immymind, thank you for your reply. 

 

  

 

I used your posts and some previous one to start creating a list consisting of points that maybe could be implemented by yourself, or governments. Feel free to copy/paste this list and add other ideas. 

 

  

 

Individuals: 

-         Don’t take the car if it is possible to walk, to cycle, or use the public transport 

-         Don’t use oil consuming cars (SUVs et cetera) 

-         Use the clothesline if possible! 

-         Bring your own plastic bag to the supermarket (this is probably something typical Dutch. We all take our own bags to the store, or need to buy new ones in the store) 

-         Use rain-collecting devices (like rain barrels). Use the collected rain to sprinkle the garden 

-         Try to recycle goods 

-         Try not to use disposable goods, but use their durable alternatives (in the end you’ll save money!) 

 

  

 

Governments: 

(Try to let local governments hear your opinion. On a research trip to Dallas and Denver I have seen some nice examples of public involvement, which ended in successful public transport projects).  

-         When possible, let students travel for free with public transport 

-         Place recycle collection points in neighbourhoods 

-         Give tax reductions on energy friendly products and vehicles 

-         Promote “green homes” as a showcase for energy efficient and eco friendly homes 

-         Apply labels to products (like fridges, dryers et cetera) showing information on their energy usage (like labels from A to E whereas A is very energy friendly and E relates to seriously energy consuming products) 

 

  

 

Hope it’s not off topic. Fun part is, in the end you’ll save on your energy bills, live healthier, and reduce your ecological footprint! 

 

  

 

Regards, 

Homer 

 

  

 

  

 I'm glad to see you were joking. Believe it or not, some people here in the states believe all kinds of things. I stick to being serious on the boards because humor, irony, and sarcasm just gets misunderstood. So, in case you were one of those poor people....thought I'd set you on the right path.

I have to say that every one of the points you make for governments is already in effect in most areas of the US.
You would have to live here to understand why, in most areas, an auto is a must. I never understood why Europeans were so critical of us until I went to Britain and saw that the way of life is vastly different. Here in the US the only cities that resemble Europe are to be found in the north-eastern parts that were settled first. In most areas, unless you live right in the city, there is no public transportation. Stores with necessities like grocery stores are often miles away. And we don't have delivery services for many necessities that extend beyond a 15 to 20 mile limit. The vast interior is dependent upon oil fueled vehicles.
While we were in Britain we walked most places as everything was very convenient. Your cities and towns evolved around first foot, then horse travel, and the area reflects it. The vast territories here evolved around railroads, then auto travel, and it's quite evident. This is why we use so much oil, and this is why I feel that it will be up to us to lead the world in finding and implementing a viable alternative.
Does this sound arrogant to you? It's not meant that way, I just mean that America will be hit very very hard in the years ahead, and we all need to wake up before it's too late.

I live in the U.K and our prices have just gone past the £1 per litre mark, people drive around in ridiculously small cars for their needs, as for your idea of Britain, I think you were very limited in where you visited, we too have very remote rural locations, where I live being one of them. Our nearest corner shop is over 8 miles away, our nearest bus stop is 5 miles away which only has a service three times a week to the local store!!! and we are by no means the most rural in our area, but this is my choice, if I where to really dislike the fact that we do not have amenities close to hand I wouldn't be living here, I would live in a city. Also just a small point from what I can see Homer comes from the Netherlands which again is not comparable to Britain ( correct me if I am wrong Homer!!) The whole of Europe is not the same just as the whole of America is not the same.   

I think everyone is aware of this huge problem we have with non renewable energy sources, and it is just something we have to find alternatives for. Yes we do need oil fueled cars still as the other options are not developed enough, but lets limit the size of cars to what we need. If the government have to do this by raising the price  to try to encourage people to use cars that use less fuel so be it, my sister lives in New Jersey and when she comes home to England she is amazed by the difference in fuel costs and the diffence in the vehicles driving around the streets.  

This is a world wide problem and we just have to accept it and find alternatives or pay the price  

 This is what this board really needs, constructive pooling of information instead of dead-end complaints and pointing fingers. We're all in this together and it's only going to get worse unless we demand that our governments get serious about developing and implementing alternatives.
The most interesting and exciting proposal I've heard of yet is hydrogen cells for autos. Hydrogen is converted from water, and the only by-product is a small amount of water. No pollution. And water is plentiful.
The main problem comes from the oil industry, which employs many many people worldwide. Who is going to vote for a national leader who endorses putting people out of work? In any nation where the leaders are elected, this is a huge stumbling block. How to get elected to carry out programs that are going to be good in the long run, but very painful in the short term? This is a very real concern, my husband works in the oil and gas industry so I know what this means.
On the other hand, my youngest son starts at the university this fall, he has dreams of being in on developement of alternative fuels. We encourage him in every way. His generation inherits our short-sightedness.

Good thing to hear most of the governmental points are already in effect in most areas! Are there other points which governments could improve? 

  

 

Just a little note about comparing regions, it is very hard to compare regions to each other, because in the end every region is unique, therefore the trick is to aggregate all the data and characteristics to a high level. So, why does public transport in most parts of Europe succeeds and in other parts not. Without going into too much detail, one of the most important factors is high urban densities which are needed for a successful public transport system. This is also one of the huge differences between American and European cities, but it can be influenced! The planning departments can stimulate high density areas and plan a transport system. I hope you still understand me. Actually what I try to say is: yes, most American cities are hard to successfully implement public transportation systems, but governments (planning departments) do have the ability to positively change this. You might want to google on “Transit Oriented Development (TOD)”, “DART Dallas” and T-REX Denver”. So because regions do differ from each other, it’s not a reason to stop comparing the regions to each other. Be comparing different regions to each other we could still learn a lot! 

  

 

About the oil industry, what do you think of an opinion like: “When oil is getting scarcer, the price will continue to rise. Once the price is getting high enough, it will get more profitable for oil companies to invest in alternatives and produce them on a higher level for consumers (because oil companies need to stay affordable). In the end alternative fuel will be cheaper for most consumers.” 

So in the end, instead of being the problem, the main solution could also become from the oil industry! Because they have the knowledge and financial capabilities to develop alternatives. To illustrate this, I just read on the homepage of Shell “29 Jun 2006 - Shell, with partners, announce plans to create world's largest hydrogen public transport project”. You can read the rest on their homepage. Well, at least for me this is a different perspective… 

  

 

D’oh, 

Homer 

It really bothers me when people make rediculous arguements, which are based on baseless arguements and ignorance. 

Yes the oil companies are greedy but they are also subject to market forces. There is an abundance of raw crude oil but a shortage of refined oil (the kind needed for cars planes and factories). When there is a shortage of something the people who are willing to pay more for it get it, so like an auction the price gets bidded up. This means that the oil companies get more money for the product they own, BECAUSE everyone wants it. 

  

As regards profits, they are actually healthy in the long run because oil companies will want to sell as much oil at the higher price as possible, simply because it gets them more profits. This means that they invest more money searching for oil and refining it into petroleum. They continue doing this until it becomes unprofitable for them to do so. i.e people are no longer to pay extra high prices for extra oil. 

  

Unfortunately for the oil hungry american public who were used to unlimited supply at low prices in the past (25%of world consumption with only 4% of the worlds population), as has been said, india and china (with 35% of the worlds population) are now starting to demand huge amounts of oil tobuild their economies and so america has to compete with them for oil, driving up prices. This means that a new era for oil is dawning where it will remain at permanently higher prices. Your only hope as a consumer is that oil companies continue to earn high profits and invest them wisely in exploring and refining more oil to keep prices from rising too fast. 

  

D'ont get me wrong, i hate the oil companies and the worlds dependence on oil in general. The upcoming problems of Climate Change keep me awake many nights, but alas i dont think of it as a worldwide oil conspiracy (although George Bush and Dick CHeney can surely shoulder enourmous amounts of blame), instead i realise it is simple economics. Consumers demand oil, they pay for it with money. Oil giants, as rational businesses hoping to make a profit, ration oil on the basis of prices. Those who pay more get more. Its just the way things are and i don't like it any more than you do. But i just can't stand people making ill informed choices. 

  

As for a boycott, the idea of it acutally making a difference is seriously laughable on so, so many levels. 

I agree with you. It is GREED on EVERYONE'S part! Everyone plays a role in it whether they want to admit it or not.

Gas prices have been going down!  Yay!  Let's hope it stays that way..........atleast for a while.