Originally Posted by MarkS
Its amazing how many people want to attribute the current rise in prices to "oil company conspiracies". We've known for 40 years that the supply of oil is limited. We passed peak oil production in this country in the 70s. Yet we go on like there's no tomorrow, wasting 45% of our national energy balance on transportation -- most of that being personal transporation -- the least efficient method of transporation known to man, with the possible exception of space travel. We've had 30+ years of warning, and yet have built more highways, torn out railways, built no high-speed trains, eliminated the national speed limit, and even provided tax/tariff incentives for people to drive oversized vehicles.
And this doesn't even get into the devastating effects that global warming is already having. The last time the planet raised its temperature only 3C, the Florida pan-handle was under water. Yet some estimates say that global temperatures may rise much more than that by the end of this century.
Gas is (still) too cheap.
Well said that man!
290 million people in the United States (4% of the world's population) consume 25% of the worlds petroleum, mainly because it's cheap and they can afford it. The average US car uses TWICE the fuel of a modern European car. Mine does 53 MPG in the city.
Of course I know I'm addressing the people who already know these things and ride their bikes when they can, but I just can not grasp why anyone would accept a car that didn't deliver at least 40mpg on the highway.
Petrol here in the UK has reached the equivalent of $8.12, mostly through taxation.