The petrol blues
I paid almost $30 today for 11 gallons of mid-grade gas. Had I used high grade (which I normally do), I definitely would have broken $30. To quote someone whose 15 minutes have long since passed, ‘Stop the insanity!’.
Seriously, can somebody explain to me why gas prices have raged out of control just this past year? Is it the war? Is it the economy? Or (as I strongly suspect) is Bush just lining his oil-buddy’s pockets?
At least now that Americans are being hurt where we care the most — the wallet (certainly not the environment) — maybe we’ll start to see some more rapid advancements in alternative fuel sources. A recent development in low-energy hydrogen production is promising. It would also be nice to see biodiesel take off and ween us from dependency on foreign fuels, as well as spur growth in our declining farm industry.
Until then, travel is becoming more and more dear.
August 20th, 2005 at 5:47 pm
I had an interesting discussion about a similar topic with Les, recently. You and all else who raise issues relating to both our foreign oil dependence and the degredation of the world’s environment are on to something. These issues will bedevil our economy for years to come. Sadly, no major media blitz or politicians have come forth suggesting a “Manhatten Project” for alternative fuels. On a related note, the technology is being developed at amazing speeds and other countries (such as India and China) are in dire need of it, lest their environments be irrevocably polluted as they are in the process of being right now. But, to further throw things out there: Is the hydrogen/hybrid car the answer to end our waste, pollution, high gas prices? What happens when we want to throw away hydrogen cars — where does all that stuff go? Plus, the metals and technology to develop it will have to come from someplace, where? People tend to think that the hydrogen hybrid is the answer, that we will just pour water in our gas tanks, and never waste or pollute again. The fact is, all technology petroleum-based or not, has a downside: where does it come from, what by-products does it produce, and where does it go when its spent? China leads the world in recycling computer component parts, but serveral of their landfills are being massively polluted by waste from these used components.
Ok, I’ve said more than my ten cents worth. :)
In short, I’m with you (and so is everyone else who drives to work) — it’s ridiculous that we pay as much for gas as we do, and people still feel “entitled” to SUVs. At the very least, we need to begin to tackle our conscienceless consumer culture.
August 22nd, 2005 at 1:29 pm
Personally, I’m rooting for $5 a gallon; that’s the only way that Americans will finally demand that our government takes substantive steps to adopt an energy policy that actually makes sense. Go $5!
August 22nd, 2005 at 6:15 pm
Sadly, I think Neil’s right.
I should really be working.
August 23rd, 2005 at 9:00 am
Ken: Interesting thoughts, especially considering that the ratio of cars to people in the US finally broke 1:1 several years ago. Still, I’d say fossil fuel use is our biggest problem right now, both politically and economically. And as Neil suggests, I think we’re going to see some definite movement on this as gas prices continue to rise.