Things That Make You Go Green

Two months ago, I wrote how high gas prices may actually be good in that we are beginning to change our often wasteful habits. As a nation, gas consumption is noticeably decreasing. We’re carpooling more, we consolidate errands, we avoid unnecessary trips, and we’re buying smaller cars. I can’t remember the last time larger, more powerful vehicles were out of vogue!

I just read a Time magazine article that discusses things we can like about $4 gas. It’s a great article which not only discusses the sacrifices we have to make, but also looks at the silver lining in terms of the positive adjustments we’ve made to accommodate high gas prices.

So, what can we possible like about $4 gas you ask? According to Amanda:

1. As shipping costs increase, more jobs are coming back to the U.S.
2. With increasing transportation costs, urban sprawl has dramatically decreased
3. JB wrote about this – 4 day workweeks are reality in some companies and governments
4. Decreased pollution
5. We are more frugal – we check tire pressure more often and are buying smaller cars
6. People are driving slower to save gas, which has resulted in fewer traffic deaths
7. Insurance rates for some are decreasing as they drive less and qualify for lower mileage rates
8. There is less traffic as people drive less, carpool more, and increase their use of public transportation
9. With skyrocketing gas bills, police are walking and bicycling more, which means more police spending time in communities
10. As people eat out less, obesity decreases

You may not agree with all these points, but Amanda does offer a fairly compelling perspective. We all hate to see people making sacrifices, especially when putting gas in the tank means being unable to put food on the table. However, as Amanda writes, “The suffering will go on. But the story, like any good tragedy, is not without redemption. “