Another spin on the rising gas prices

I have been saying for YEARS we need to lose our dependency on oil and there needs to be more research and investing in alternative energy sources, but most people kind of rolled their eyes at me and told me to get off the soapbox.
Although I am not happy about the hit to my wallet that gas prices causing - I do hope that this will open the eyes of many Americans that oil is a non-renewable resource - there is a limited supply, and once it is gone it is gone. I am hoping it will cause more people to put pressure on politicians and businesses to invest in alternatives to fossil fuels.

Am I in a dreamland or do you think that the rise in prices will finally cause our society to start thinking this way?

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

I think that most people know it, but the average gas-guzzling American probably doesn't care til it affects their wallet. This current rise in gas prices just happens to come at a time when the economy is doing badly and the dollar is falling like a rock, so it hurts a little more. But this country's awareness of its dependence on oil is nothing new.

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Alternate energy sources cost too much money to implement currently. This is why it hasn't taken off yet.

If I want solar panels on my house the cost would be in the thousands.

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Message edited 11/18/2011 5:10:27 PM.

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

i think peopel are already agreeing with you and many have been for years.

the bigger part of the problem though is our GOVERNMENT! they refuse to explore alternative means for energy. as citizens, our hands are tied until the government makes some major changes and i dont' see them doing that any time soon.

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Posted by GoldenRod

Posted by ave1024

Alternate energy sources cost too much money to implement currently. This is why it hasn't taken off yet.

If I want solar panels on my house the cost would be in the thousands.

10s of thousands.... I hope to get some installed later this year....

There is new technology that is being developed that cuts the costs from 10 cents per watt of power to 1 cent per watt. If the gov't would put more money and resources to that, solar panels could pay for themselves in 1 or 2 years, and cost between 1-3 thousand. Definitely within the range of a majority of households (especially since after 2 years, you're either making money from LIPA, or at least saving so much money that your electricity bill is almost non-existant.)

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices

Hopefully one positive part of the high prices is that people will look toward conservation.

I don't support mcCain's proposal of a "tax vacation" on gasoline. All that will do is make people drive MORE and deplete the supply. It's counter-intuitive and the tax $$ is needed for highway programs. If they can spare that $$ maybe they can apply it to renewables other than STUPID, wasteful ethanol.

I also wish people would realize that McDonald's is causing much of our global warming. They ae tearing down rainforests at insane rates. Also, for the land it takes to raise one pund of beef, we could get 8lbs of vegetables.

Re: Another spin on the rising gas prices