Rising gas prices are changing every part of life in the United States. People are
losing their jobs at the thousands and have less spending power at the
same time that the prices of all goods are increasing because of
increased transportation costs. Families are increasingly hard-pressed
to make ends meet and pay mortgages, let alone pay for higher education
or other "optional" expenses. It feels like our culture is finally
facing the costs of our wasteful ways and our foolishness at creating
an economic system that depends upon fossil fuels.
The only
positive part of our current crisis is that finally the majority of
people are truly questioning our country's priorities and the way we
have set up our lives. Commuting long distances alone in big vehicles
now seems ridiculously indulgent, leading people to downsize their
cars, park their gas guzzlers at home, take public transport or car
pool. People are expressing feeling trapped by their lifestyles. More
people than ever are asking the United States government to make changes to improve
public transportation and asking their employers to accept four-day
work schedules or telecommuting agreements. Small things, like forgoing
plastic bags for reusable grocery sacs are finally catching on as we
get a deeper understanding of the personal cost wastefulness can bring.
Maybe Americans are finally getting it: resources are limited.
I
hope that the next step in awareness includes a deep understanding that
conservation and low-waste lifestyles are the first step, and that the
next step is to replenish what we have lost. When that happens we will
truly find hope in rising above this crisis. Making one change can
truly create the growth of hope: hope that we will change our
lifestyles, hope that we won't feel trapped by old choices or political
price changes, and hope that the planet will continue to provide for us
if we take care of it properly. Hope is why I believe in building our
bamboo resources. Conservation is essential for today, and hope will
get us to tomorrow. Hope, and work to replenish and restore.
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It is sad that a major reason why everyone is "going green" and looking to save on energy etc is because everything is getting expensive. They should have been living this way all along, and maybe it would have prevented his somewhat.
I really expect to see $5 a gallon gas here in the US. I work in auto insurance and we are already seeing a drop in accident frequency as people are driving fewer miles. I think this will only increase.
You are starting to hear about people that are going back to the idea of shopping locally, rather than drive further to get to the discount store. As the fuel costs associated with the drive to Walmart start to offset their lower prices, local Mom and Pop stores may start to revive.
I think a very large structural change to our economy is beginning, and the environment stands to benefit.
I definitely drive less and have gotten really good at bumming rides off of people.
With gas prices going to touch $200 a barrel we might as well stay home and set up a office in the garage.
Thank God Americans have finally woken up to reality. For decades Americans have lived on the earths resources without regard for future generations. We are feeling the pinch of ever rising fuel prices in the UK too, however, we never had a love for big cars and extravagance so we don't need to make too many drastic resolutions. Its time the world woke up and weaned itself from Oil and all its "crude" derivatives. Great site!
It's a start but ever so slowly. But there are far too many people who aren't conserving yet. And sadly we're so far behind Europe when it comes to public transportation.
Those gas prices are killin me. I can't go ANYWHERE.
The rising prices of gas has actually made me exercise more. I ride my bike to places i would normally drive.
But it IS out of hand.