You’re right. There are a ton of socioeconomic implications with skyrocketing gas prices, and I know we would all rather pay cheap gas AND conserve as well. One question to think about – if gas were $1 or even $2 per gallon today, do you think we (just thinking about the U.S. for now) would use more, less, or the same amount of gas as we do today?

The basic equation is this. We all need to conserve. As gas prices increase, people will focus more on conserving as they try to reduce their gas expenses. It’s not quite not as black and white as this as there are a lot of socioeconomic implications to high gas prices, but perhaps there is a silver lining to the crazy run up we’ve seen at the pumps.

First, thank you for sharing your perspective. I think conversations like these are necessary in moving forward. In regards to ethanol, I completely agree with you, and I think you would enjoy this post I wrote a while back: http://thingsthatmakeyougogreen.com/eco-friendly-fuels-may-do-more-harm-than-good/2008/05/02/

I can’t say I agree with your point about Americans consuming the amount of petroleum we do because we need it. It may be the case with you (and I applaud your efforts), but I definitely have first and second hand knowledge of unnecessary consumption. For example, were there errands run which could have been consolidated? Did people fly or drive out of town for Memorial Day weekend? Anyone drive to the movie theater lately or to have dinner with some friends at a nice restaurant? Rent a movie lately from the local video store? Turn on air conditioning in your car (which uses more gas) to make yourself a little more comfortable when it wasn’t really necessary? Anyone neglect to empty out the extra trash in their car which adds weight and contributes to additional fuel consumption? Fail to set up a carpool to work or for an event because it was more convenient to drive? Did someone purchase a car that was sportier or slightly larger than was really necessary?

Again, the point I’m trying to make is that I feel we are not doing everything we can to change our driving and living habits. I’m not an advocate for forcing people to choose between fuel or food by any means, but imagine if gas cost $50 per gallon. Would all our current gas consumption really be considered “necessary”?

To your point about automobile emissions, even *if* they are a fraction of carbon / climate change (which sounds suspicious, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt), we both know that there’s no silver bullet to help solve our climate crisis or global warming. However, if we can all take steps to help, every little bit adds up.

I’m not saying saving Earth won’t take some serious action and sacrifice on our part. It will take hard work and sacrifice, and we all need to come to grips with that.

Thanks for the support. I’m glad you enjoy reading the site and hope to provide more helpful things in the future for our readers. If there are ever any topics you’re curious about, feel free to let us know at TTMYGG!