$7.00 gas only way to curb global warming emissions?
Harvard's eye-popping studyTo reach President Obama's global warming emission's cuts, according to a new Harvard study, gas prices will have to reach $7.00 per gallon.
Sadly, tax credits for hybrid cars and EVs were not seen as an effective path towards reducing emissions, as such tax credits can actually make people drive more according to the soon-to-be-released study.
However, if actions are not taken, vehicle miles traveled, and therefore emissions, are expected to increase 30 percent between now and 2030.
Labels: gas prices, global warming, hybrid tax credits, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:14 AM
9 Comments:
You know that's the thing about capitalism, if you want to change something for the better, you need to modify the supply and demand chain so that consumers and large corporations have no choice but to change.
we are too dependent on cars for traveling to work. The average commute is close to an hour.
Even if gas hits $7 people will still drive. What alternative do they have if they want to keep their jobs?
or it just proves the premise of TINSTAFL.
altcar-
they'd probably buy cheaper, smaller, and more fuel efficient cars though.
Contrary to popular belief on this blog, driving is not evil. The car was probably the greatest invention of the last 150 years.
And yes, some cities were built after the invention of the car and commuters in those cities must rely on cars to get to work.
The key is "what" we drive.
Having seen the 1st oil crisis in the 1970's, I'm shocked that automobiles haven't evolved much in 30 years.
If two oil crisis' in 30 years won't make us change, then perhaps we should give $7.00 per gallon gasoline a try........
"If two oil crisis' in 30 years won't make us change, then perhaps we should give $7.00 per gallon gasoline a try........"
and the bulk of the evidence suggests we aren't ready for change.
still, i don't totally buy this study. technology could intervene. for instance, it isn't inconceivable that one day co2 might become a cost-effective fuel in and of itself.
that was part of the idea behind obama's cap and trade program.
ultimately, i think this study is just trying to illustrate how serious the problem is and how hard it will be to change consumer behavior.
It all comes down to economics.
Oil will be king as long as it is the cheapest form of energy available.
The only way this will change is:
1. Technological innovation that results in a cheaper energy source. (This has not yet happened)
2. Oil becomes scarce and the price skyrockets to the point that alternative engery sources are less expensive
3. Gov't intervention artificially increases the cost of oil through taxes, tarrifs to the point where alternative energy sources are less expensive.
The alternatives must be "less expensive", no simpy competitive. Perhaps that why the study suggests $7.00 per gallon as the required price. At that cost the alternatives are much more desireable...
While I essentially agree with you Smurf, I would submit that there is, possibly, one alternative, although its not that much of an alternative, but rather a hybrid of that already suggested (isn't that ironic, a hybrid?).
Smart regulations, such as an economically-triggered cap and trade plan, could theoretically, drive a technological innovation that does not necessarily require any major sort of tax incentive.
Ultimately - and I HATE to support the idea of coal powered electricity for plug-ins, but I'll step outside of my box, and i'll bet that science can figure out a way to convert co2 into a fuel for less than $7.00 per gallon gasoline equivalent.
of course, however, i'll bet there are plenty of other fuels that can achieve energy independence for less the $7.00 per gallon
energy independence is a joke. we can make it happen within the next two decades. the problem is resolving the winners of this energy revolution.
I remain sceptical that a revolution is coming soon.
I am not confident that we will see the needed technology innovation any time soon, nor am I confident we will see any alternative fuels that are cheaper than oil any time soon.
Until the oil really runs out, I think we are stuck for a while.....
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