Do you believe that changing policy to fight climate change will increase gas prices?

No

1 of 1

by Rachel Sahaidachny

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

I believe the price of gas will continue to increase if we do not change our country's policies regarding climate change.
On July 17, 2008 Al Gore made a speech challenging the US Government to make our country 100% Carbon-fuel free with in ten years time.
In this speech he reflected to the generally over-used argument that it would cost the country too much money to rely on alternative energy sources. His answer to this argument was, "To those who say the costs (of carbon-free energy sources) are still too high: I ask them to consider whether the cost of oil and coal will ever stop increasing if we keep relying on quickly depleting energy sources to feed a rapidly growing demand all around the world."
What will happen to gasoline prices if we do not change climate policy? The quarterly earnings reports for the top 5 US Oil companies came out with higher profits than ever recorded for one quarter. Exxon alone had quarterly profits of over $12 Billion. This is a US Oil company, and yet American people are living in a recessionairlines are going bankrupt claiming jet fuel prices make it impossible to operate and if they aren't bankrupt now you pay to check a bag, and in some cases you must even pay a fee to use your frequent flier miles; meat and produce prices are higher than ever not only because it cost more to get these items to your local grocery, but also because it cost more just to feed the animals due to the fact Oil companies have such a hand in the grain industry, trying to make their product more clean and friendly by adding ethanol; people can hardly afford to get to work or spend extra money to go out to dinner or shop, and school's are facing even more severe budget crunches due to the increasing price of diesel fuel for school buses, resulting in cut-backs for field trips and sports. Just wait until winter when half the country will be unable to pay the cost of staying warm.
Right now the government's answer to this cycloning fuel crisis has been to attempt a change in legislation and simply increase drilling? Now, this will only put more profit in the hands of oil companies. This is a case where our reliance on the product has created a monster. At this point, we must recognize the possibility that there is no way that just an increase in the supply to meet the world's growing demand and reliance on Oil will result in an affordable way of life.
If we do not become reliant on other renewable carbon-free sources of energy not only will we continue to find the value of our currency draining off into the global pool, and our lifestyles and communities more and more economically restrained, but we risk a future of a dying Earth full of hostile environments.
Until our politicians make a stand for the environment and a carbon-free future, the United State's role as a world power will be in jeopardy while we are at the mercy of the Oil giants.
The real question is: Can we afford not to change our policies regarding climate change?

Learn more about this author, Rachel Sahaidachny.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.