2008 is proving to be the most cruel year to the human race.A lot of calamities have happened to mother earth.Floods in America and Myanmar, food riots in Haiti and Egypt, Political violence in Kenya,earthquakes in China and Japan and of late oil price hikes. Humorously and superstitiously it is believed to be so because 2008 is a leap year.

The adage "money makes the mare go"is no longer working. The reality is"oil makes the world go." The recent oil price hikes has send a puncturing blow to the world over.Every country developed or developing is feeling the pinch of oil price hikes.In United Kingdom the oil price hikes has impact on the economy. The price of oil per barrel is pegged at$135.00.This price hike was immediately felt by consumers and business alike.

Upon the announcement of fuel price hikes,the haulage transport industry was hardest hit.They staged a drive-slowly protest to pressure the government to reduce the price.They said they were unwillingly forced out of business by the rocketing oil prices.As this was not enough shell-tanker drivers who carried fuel to petrol pumps went on strike demanding pay rise.The inflation rate in UK shot up to 3.3% the highest in ten years.Interest rates have also risen ,it is now at 9% ,the highest in twenty years.The value of houses have dropped.

Food prices are high.The government has taken a stance not to increase pay, for this will heighten inflation rate.When the oil price was increased people in UK were urged to avoid panic buying and hoarding.The authority assured the public that there was enough fuel in supply.People in UK are coping with price hikes of oil by sharing a car to work and walk children to school instead of driving them. This cut costs and is environmentally friendly.No carbon emission and is a step in the right direction to go green.

In Bristol city people have resorted to go to work on bicycles instead of driving.Peter Andrews a campaigner for the "bicycle cities" programme said,"cycling is good for health and it helps cab obesity and prevent traffic congestion."This is another initiative of the people in UK on their road to cab the rising costs of fuel.This helps in conserving the precious liquid oil. The UK government has injected 11.4 million to kick-start this programme.It is hoped that it will expand to othert UK cities.

Recently a national newspaper highlighted the case of a man who has resorted to use his horse driven chariot to go shopping and even taking his neighbour's daughter to school.It is surmised that by the end of the year energy bills should have rocketed hence it will be a matter of heat the house first or eat first. All these soaring prices are the effects of of the rise of the cost of oil.

Finally my hope for the future rests on the oil producing countries to roll their heads and produce a permanent working solution to the ever escalating oil prices.If only this is said and done only then can we avert a world economy recession.

Learn more about this author, Masimba Mukichi.
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