A heated debate has begun over my post this weekend regarding the price of oil. I’ve been informed that while someone who shall remain nameless understands my point, I have been beating around the bush about it.
So here’s my point:
Gas prices are affected by consumption. The only reason that we’re paying 40 bucks a barrel right now for oil is because people will pay it. That’s consumption right there. If people weren’t buying the stuff, it wouldn’t be that expensive.
Those who consume the most, shouldn’t complain about gas prices, because the rest of the world looks at them and says to themselves: “But you’re the problem!”
In actuality, the problem is that we consume oil at all, not the volumes in which we consume it. Our society and our economy has become so dependent on this one commodity that it has more value to us than gold, even though it is less expensive. This dependency gives others the power to control us. As long as we’re addicted to oil, we’re going to pay what ever someone else decides the price should be. Instead of setting that price for ourselves.
The only real way to reduce the price of oil is to eliminate or severely reduce the demand for it. The logical way to do that, is to increase variety in types of fuel available for consumption, and to reduce the price to the point where the average consumer has easy access to these alternative fuels and finds it economical to their own needs when compared to other sources of energy.
In short, if you’re upset about the price of gas at the pump, support alternative fuel technologies by buying the (incredibly expensive) hybrid electric cars that are available for sale now, buy a car that gets better gas mileage, or contribute to research for the development of alternative fuels.
Griping about it won’t solve anything, and alternative fuels will not become a reality so long as we continue to feed the demand for oil.
