Peak Oil -- And What Do We Do Now?
Debate on "Peak Oil" and choosing a new Global Paradigm
This group's purpose is to debate the “peak oil” phenomenon and its inevitable aftermath, and how we can help shape a post -petroleum future. This is a global phenomenon and this is a global group. Peak oil is the point in time at which the maximum global petroleum production rate is reached. After this point in time, the rate of production begins a termi ...learn more
GROUP DETAILS
Created: Sep 25, 2007
Updated: Nov 22, 2009
Membership: Open
Semi-Private
Topic: At what $ price per gallon will gas have to rise to before people curtail their driving by half?
Posts (1 - 7 of 7)
Sort by: Ascending | Descending
Login to Post a Reply.
|
|
We need opinions on this one folks. When will people crack?
Thanks Honore - I worked hard on that one. |
|
Nico, you're a hard swinger toward the extremes. I can't think of many times in history when people have actively worked to increase a regular expense of theirs for the sake of the greater good. Only example that comes to mind that draws some comparisons would be the embracing of the organic food movement, and the higher grocery costs that come with making that choice.
|
|
|
A very well thought out and humorous reply, Adam - if I could make that a sticky, I would. :)
|
|
what we should be discussing is how we as individuals can work towards increasing the price at the pump?
To make the transition as easy as possible, we need to get those prices up now. People need to feel the pain at the pump, only then will they be aware. |
|
|
opinions opinions. we've got 'em. so here is mine.
$4 - people are calling their mothers telling them how high the prices are (bragging a little). "Our prices are higher than yours." $5 - see $4 "oh yeah, well ours is $5.03!" $6 - it's getting a little hot in the kitchen. people begin to sell their cars to augment the cost of gas only to pay a bank loan of 10% more than they were spending on gas and continue to put gas in their car. Probably at a higher rate. "I get really good gas mileage, let's drive to Las Vegas." $7 - comparisons to Europe ensue. Americans finally figure out the liter to gallon ratio. More cars sold with same twisted logic. more people start flying to LA (for those of us in San Francisco) instead of driving cause its cheaper. Public transport gets more expensive. lots of people relocate to the cities in the attempt to facilitate a less car intensive life. "I sure am glad I don't have to drive anymore." $8 - the bubble officially bursts but the explosion is muffled due to the increase in corporate increase of deliveries on goods to the purchasers home. people think they are spending less but since they have to pay a higher shipping rate it's the same. "man! im getting tired of being at home all the time." $9 - it's all over. everyone throws in the towel and walks. "wow. look. we have trees and grass! hey, didn't we used to have a creek here . . ." so according to this expose, $7 will break enough people for the news to report large movements of people to other locations. then again maybe they'll hold out for $8. |
|
|
So really, what price point do you think it needs to be before people seriously seek every possible alternative before they jump into their car? $5 a gallon? $10 a gallon? $20 a gallon? Is that enough for people to reduce their monthly mileage by half?
|
You do not have access to post to this record
1 to 7 of 7 Posts
I think that unfortunately there will be no revelation or awakening which will cause a huge change in behavior. Even less chance of governments acting, especially those controlled by Big Oil/Gas/Coal. In fact, this is much like the mythical "experiment" of the frog placed in a pot of water. Only a real shock to the system--say, an overnight 25% increase in petroleum prices will get many people to change, and then only those on the low end of the economic spectrum and those businesses where the margins are tight and transportation and other activities are Oil dependent. The rich and the broadly diversified monopolistic multinationals will actually benefit from the increase, since they are better positioned to benefit from the reduced competition once the behavior of the vulnerable takes hold--at best, a selective "cracking".
The price of oil, people's behavior, and response to the price is another application of "The Tragedy of the Commons". Sacrifice by one group or individual allows others to continue their same old behavior, which has no benefit for the resource in question. "What belongs to everyone belongs to no one." All the technological fixes will not by themselves change the moral approach of the people involved. Indeed, Garrett Hardin's thesis is that for many problems there are no technological solutions. Since he wrote this in 1968, he has been proven correct over and over again.
David
Messages done with sustainable energy, with Wind and Sun!