Everyone Should Drive Less Except Me

Consider the following questions:

Do you think the government should do something about climate change?
Yes

Do you think industries should adopt sustainable business practices?
Yes

Do you think we should drive less and drive more fuel efficient vehicles?
Yes

Do you think we should keep gas price low?
Yes

People consume less when price is high, and consume more when price is low. I don’t see how low price and low consumption would be magically compatible in this case, but apparently plenty of people do (or wish it is).

All of us drive less in response to high gas price, by planning our routes carefully, carpool, taking public transit, driving a smaller car.

When price drops, we may not consciously drive more. Instead, we’ll just “not drive less”, and maybe get back to our old habits.

Why would anyone drive less when bus fare cost as much as gas price? Why would industries do anything different in turbulent times if the old ways cost much less again? Why would the government do anything if voters oppose long term solutions?

To illustrate, consider the following questions:

DO you agree that polluters should pay tax?
Yes

Do you agree that carbon dioxide is a major pollutant that causes climate change?
Yes

Would you support carbon tax on gasoline?
HELL NO!

It pisses me off when people blindly oppose carbon tax, saying that it will push up gas price. Hmm.. No shit! That’s the whole point. How else would everyone drive less?
 
 
Perhaps now is the best time to implement brave carbon tax policies, before people start whining about gas price again.