Do you really think that not pumping gas on one day will really hurt the gas companies?

Question

I just saw a post on myspace saying that on May 15th don't pump gas to protest the rising gas prices. But in reality that will just mean may 14th and 16th people will be buying double the amount of usual. If you really wanna hurt the gas companies maybe on may 15th everybody rides the bus or maybe even buys a hybrid? That would make a real difference.

Answer 1

Nah...-You're right. Now if we REALLY wanted to get the big Oil Companies attention- we'd all trade our SUVs in, for bicycles & Mass Transportation...-THAT way the price of EVERYTHING would go down (due to the reduction in demand for Oil for cars), & the Petrolium Companies might start looking into stuff like Solar or Wind power...-to make up the difference.  :)

Answer 2

Seriously?

They are thinking long-term.

If you have a crack habit, not smoking on a certain day will not affect your dealer. Since oil/crack is desired by so many people, they will just sell to someone else.

Driving a hybrid is like saying :"To solve my crack addiction I'm only going to smoke crack at half the amount I usually do."

Does that sound like a good solution?

Answer 3

You are right, it won't hurt the gas companies. But if it gets people thinking about the effects of pollution on the Earth then it may have a symbolic effect by increasing peoples awareness.

Answer 4

No, and seeking lower gas prices doesn't seem to be an appropriate goal.

An alternative to the crisis is using alternatives. In Europe, they pay more for gas- but they use much less than we do. Their means of transportation are often more fuel efficient, with greater usage of compacts and scooters or even bicycling. Some do drive SUV's but they're much smaller.

In many Asian cities mass transit is the primary source of transportation, and alot of it is ran off of clean energy that is gradually lowering in price, as opposed to gas, which is soon (if not already) to cost more.

Clearly, rising gas prices should only affect people driving classic cars that you wouldn't want to put a hybrid in, not a gas guzzling GMC Yukon.

If you want to enjoy having a big SUV, driving it everyday for 30 minutes plus the trip home from work, speeding up to red lighrts you know aren't going to change, then you deserve high gas prices.

Answer 5

No, it won't make any difference.  If a significant number reduced their driving, it might.  Getting more miles per gallon is good economics.  I don't think it is the oil companies to blame.  It is China, India and us increasing the demand and countries like Saudi Arabia not quite meeting it.

Answer 6

I think you are largely right that the gas companies would just make up the difference in sales on the 14th and/or the 16th, except for gas that would have been used by people that opt for mass transit, walking, riding a bike, or carpooling for a change instead of driving by themselves on the 15th.

Answer 7

i agree with you

2 days after that, we dont ride the bus to protest the rising bus prices.

Answer 8

No, I don't.  This is a popular publicity stunt that makes headlines, but does nothing.