Good Things From Rising Fuel Costs

In my own personal beliefs, I feel that the rising cost of oil and gasoline are driving the future of green technology. Many technologies such as the battery and solar and wind energy technologies have seen very few drastic improvements. Our best performing battery, the lithium ion, is expensive and not good enough for us to develop competitive electric vehicles (EV’s) to our current gas powered automobiles. Wind energy only makes up 1% of all the energy produced in the United States and solar energy produces far less. What are the reason’s? Expensive initial costs, and perhaps a resistance to change. Well the vision’s that Barack Obama have for our future really inspire me and many like-minded young adults. But besides hope and besides vision, the market has created the perfect catalyst for green energy to boom. The future is green, as it is being forced down our throats at every aspect of our lives now.

Some positive things that I see happening because of rising fuel prices are:

1. Niche automakers are capitalizing on falling sales figures from low fuel economy vehicles like SUV’s and trucks by making viable EV’s like the Bug EV and Aptera which could eventually obliterate the current auto industry, in my opinion. Hybrids sales are still in high gear as well.

2. Rising fuel prices have caused an interest in the four-day work week to conserve gas, reduce congestion on the roads, and save the environment.

3. A re-kindling bicycle industry has spurred some people to ditch four wheels in favor of two. It is much cheaper to ride your bicycle to work, if possible, and it is great for your health.

4. Local food has seen an increasing interest because of the many miles most food has to travel to get to your grocery store. Farmers Market’s are ever more popular and even Wal-Mart is trying to capitalize on people’s interest in buying local to save the environment and to support localization.

5. Mass transit systems and public transportation projects are getting new funding to help alleviate fuel costs. A cool rent-a-bike program in Portland, Oregon is quite innovative. Los Angeles is looking at building a subway, as many American’s are flocking to public transportation at rates not seen in decades.

PETA has come up with a list of 5 things they feel are positive in spite of the continuing rise of high fuel prices. They are:

1. Squid fishers suspended fishing for two days to protest rising fuel costs. Don’t let any dopey people shrug their shoulders and think, “So what?” When you can, show them this mind-blowing video about squids’ satin-smooth seduction moves.

2. Later this month, 230,000 Japanese fisherman will strike over fuel prices. Sushi lovers fear shortages of tuna sushi and sashimi, but vegan sushi is delicious and doesn’t require that the seas be fished until they’re devoid of all life. Win-win.

3. A rash of gas thefts across the nation might inspire reward money for nabbing criminals caught siphoning gas. Crime is bad. Reward money for catching criminals is good.

4. With airlines now charging for checked bags and soda, there’s speculation that they might start charging by weight, which could inspire more people to go vegetarian.

5. And leave it to our friends in Boulder, Colorado, to strip down to the basics and wheel out the fun with a caravan of naked bicyclists. The cyclists’ message? Depending too much on oil is nuts.

Thoughts, Comments, Questions…

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JT (423 Posts)

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world. Follow @EnvironmentBlog

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