Gas prices went down overnight to about $1.30 a litre.
It’s interesting that this is now considered a bargain. Prices at the pumps have been rising steadily for the past year.
If all those surveys are right and we do “care” about the planet, we should be happy about the high price of gas.
Rising gas prices mean we won’t drive as much and thus not pump as much pollution into the environment.
Rising oil prices also drive up the cost of almost everything since you need energy to make and ship consumer goods.
So higher prices should mean we won’t buy as much stuff since we can’t afford it and that too will be good for the environment.
What about all those lost jobs at Air Canada because of the cost of fuel and at GM because they can’t sell gas guzzlers? Hardcore environmentalists will say that’s cost of caring for the planet.
Fewer planes flying and shuttered factories will mean less greenhouse gas emissions as well.
We are finally coming to grips with the idea of “No pain, no gain” when it comes to the environment. Many politicians have been trying to convince us we can have it both ways, change a few lightbulbs, turn up the AC a degree and things will be fine.
That doesn’t work. Our lifestyles will have to undergo some drastic changes, not just a little tinkering.
And there are no simple answers. Every carbon tax here can be negated by a new factory in China.
And here’s a great story to show how the whole environmental issue is a can of worms. Americans are driving less because of the high cost of gas. But that’s not necessarily good for the environment, because the U.S. government uses deisel and gas tax to pay for transit. Fewer drivers means less money for transit.
I’m glad it’s the weekend.
Mary Ellen Beninger
