Gas prices have taken off to record highs this week, and Americans are as disgruntled as expected. Logically, we're now asking what we can do to fix the problem.
We could chose to work with what we already have to get the country out of the energy trouble it's in. It's something called conservation.
"Oh, we're conserving," some may argue, "but we still need to drill for more oil to meet demands."
With sport utility vehicles continuing to dominate American roadways, we have to stop and question how much effort the rest of us are putting into conserving oil in the first place. If we're having to drill for oil to meet demands, perhaps our demand is still a bit too large.
SUVs, better known by the slang term "gas hogs," are American citizens' biggest problem and, dare we say, one of our vices.
They shouldn't be an issue, though. The technology is available for cheaper, more energy-efficient vehicles -- but the American public is refusing to jump on the bandwagon.
If we are so concerned with saving oil, perhaps we should also realize how we're (ab)using so much of it in the first place.
Aside from political sidesteps and other war-related issues that have affected our overseas oil supplies in the recent years, the bottom line is that America is wasting its oil supply away.
Even airlines, whose ticket prices easily correlate with fuel costs, have done their part in conserving the precious commodity in recent years. Smaller regional jets now service many U. S. towns and cities where gigantic aircraft are not needed. They've exchanged a plethora of empty seats for better gas mileage.
Yet, consumers have left it up to companies and the government to do all the dirty work. We still want our V8 engines, our four-by-four handling and enough cabin space to rival that of a dorm room.
Even if it means ruining a section of Alaskan Wildlife.
Americans complain about outrageous gas prices caused by insane gas consumption, yet, we've made no sacrifices to fix the problem. As a whole, we are not conserving anything other than the high gas prices themselves
If we're really serious about seeing our gas prices return to a reasonable level, then we must be serious about doing our part to get them there.
Try walking instead of driving. Try a less spacious car that will still get you to your destination in the same amount of time. Drive a car instead of that giant four-wheeled beast with the spinner rims.
Much like recycling, every little bit will help.
In the simple law of supply and demand, the less we want, the cheaper it will be.
Until then, you're on your own at the pump.
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