Are high gas prices GOOD for the environment?

Question

Are high gas prices GOOD for the environment?

Answer 1

The higher gas prices are, the less people will drive and the fewer emissions there will be.  Not even just greenhouse gases, but there will also be cleaner air with less smog.  High gas prices absolutely benefit the environment.

Answer 2

I take the car to my work and everywhere else, so when gas prices rise it definately hits my pocketbook.  I think that if gas becomes expensive enough, it will force me to rethink how much I drive and get me to bike more.  I could easily bike to work every day, but gas prices are HONESTLY the only thing that will get me up and at it.  

If gasoline becomes a rich mans luxury, our environment will be a lot better off.  There would be fewer cars on the road, using less oil, gas, windsheild wiper fluid, plastics, metal ore, etc. and coughing out fewer fumes.  There would be fewer road repairs needed (gravel, oil, smelly machinery).  Our citizenry would be healthier due to increased excercise.

Answer 3

Well, thats the thought- that people will drive less and consume less because of the high prices.  But so far, there has been a lot more price resiliance than expected, and it looks like the price would probably have to be closer to $5 a gallon before people would really start to modify their behavior.

Answer 4

No... Using your car and flying less help the environment.  Higher prices just help the government keep their coffers full

Answer 5

Only if it makes people worldwide use less Gas overall. If the rate of Gasoline use is unaffected on a global scale then it is only good for oil companies.

Answer 6

I don't enjoy paying over $3 a gallon... but at the same time I do appreciate that people are paying more attention to their gas usage. If that's what it takes for people to be more aware and start to conserve, I will gladly pay $5 a gallon. There is no need for all of the monster SUVs on the road. Nine times out of ten that Sport Utility Vehicle is used by one person driving back and forth to work and has never been off the pavement. There is no reason to get 10 mpg. That's irresponsible and stupid.

Answer 7

Sure. I fly A LOT more than I should, and would definitely stop if prices went up, not only because i couldn't afford it, but neither could my company. As it is, i get sent around the world for meetings that could actually be done through teleconferencing etc.

Answer 8

I was driving home from work this morning and realised that I've been walking a lot more lately and also rode my bike for the first time in a year! High gas prices are one factor contributing to me living a more healthy lifestyle. ( I have no choice!!!)

Answer 9

i dont think so cause u need something that uses gas for work then ur kinda screwed out of money due to the high gas prices

Answer 10

High gas prices has the following benefical effects:

1.  People will drive less.

2.  Business will spend more on finding an alternative.

3.  Alternative fuels appear more reasonably priced.

Answer 11

The question being debated quite vigorously right now is if high gas prices are good for society.  That debate seems to hinge much more on the economy than the environment.  

Your question is fortunately much simplier and has a resounding yes as an answer.  In the world of supply and demand that we live in, higher prices reduce consumption.  The time frame sometimes takes very long to see the effects, as people do not change their habits very quickly and do not purchase new vehicles very often.  But, there are definitely signs that consumption is reduced somewhat (actually consumption is still up but the rate of increase has decreased) and people's new vehicle selection process now includes fuel mileage much more often and at a higher importance than it did two years ago.  So, the process of change is slow, but it is showing signs of happening.  

A great deal of the impact man has had on the environment has resulted from his high consumption of energy.   A significant source of environmental impact comes from vehicle emissions.  So, lower consumption means lower emissions and lower environmental impact.  It really isn't terribly complicated.

As an added benefit, high energy prices increases government and private funding and interest in alternative fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel and in alternate technologies such as hybrid vehicles, fuel cells, electric cars, etc.  It is also forcing the big three US auto makers to focus more on fuel efficiency and less on large and highly profiable trucks and SUV's.

The obvious downside to all of this is higher consumer spending and higher profits for oil companies and foreign oil producing countries - but we are now back to economics again.