What are the benefits of high gas prices?

Question

Ok, ok, ok...we all know how much high gas prices suck and are killing us financially...but what are the positive things??

Let's look on the bright side!

Answer 1

With gasoline prices jumping every week these days, a lot of Answer Desk readers -- including Ian in California -- have the same question. Just who gets the extra money I'm paying at the pump?

PUMP PROFITS

Europeans pay more for gas, but they also receive additional services from the gas taxes. The extra money that we will pay as gas prices rise will not go to additional government services but oil companies or foreign governments. Who is getting the money from rising gas prices?

-- Ian R., Glendale, Calif.

Breaking down where your gasoline dollars go is not an exact science, but the list of players is a long one. You may be surprised to learn that not all of your money ends up in the bank accounts of Big Oil, gasoline retailers or Middle Eastern tycoons. (And we'll dispense with, for now, the more creative theories that pop up routinely in our inbox fingering everyone from President Bush to hedge fund “profiteers” to new car buyers in China.)

Answer 2

Owning stock in companies that own oil reserves has finally started to make us profits.

We have of course been making money at $90 a barrel, but 120 is a lot more profit. Back in 1980 I saw this coming, so went to a tiny car, a house that heats itself by sunlight, and bought shares in income trusts that were buying up oil  and gas wells. All of those expenditures have been well justified now.

In the meantime I have bought interests in solar panel maker and wind turbine installers, but when their prices went up a lot I sold them. I invested in an ethanol plant, and then sold it when the stock price rose.

The point here is that rising fuel prices have made billions for a lot of investors, including people who have invested in alternate energy.

Answer 3

many people think that there are  no  benefits

Answer 4

maybe america will stop taking their jobs overseas for cheaper labor bc the price of shipping the goods back to the US is too much.  so maybe they will bring the jobs back to the usa and ppl will finally get work!

Answer 5

You're so introspective!  The real gas crisis isn't that your holiday may be less miles.  The real damage is in third world people getting by on a bit of rice a day now can only afford that bit of rice every few days!

Answer 6

1. The car industry is finely listening to those of us who have been begging for alternative energy vehicles. (I hope)

2. fewer gas guzzlers are being bought.

3. folks are driving less and thus polluting less.

4 Some, who live close enough, are riding bicycles to work and getting the added benefit of extra exercise.

5. less pollution equals easier breathing for asthma victims.

6. alternative energy sources are getting better looking everyday, even to banks.

7. The drop in gasoline sells, (I heard on the news today) is actually biting the Gov. in the behind as they aren't getting the tax revenue they were getting. (Maybe that will get  THEM off of THEIR addiction to oil!?)

8. it's a boost to the green idea of buying your food close to your home.

9. Maybe people will actually meet thier neighbors now.

10. some folks are learning that they really CAN do without oil, gasoline, and driving around like mad.

Answer 7

There is no bright side.

Answer 8

Lets take it this way

For car companies

Cost of Gasoline goin Up=Sale of cars going down

Sale of cars going down, therefore need to find another source of cheap, Nature friendly fuel.

(Electric cars are not cheap, try looking at  http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/07/...

for the enormous prices)

With more investment and more research by private auto gaints, it will decrease the price of electric/hybrid cars thus SAVING the globe.

Answer 9

My oil stocks go up and up and I become richer while consumers take it in the shorts.

I can buy luxury cars much cheaper than before these high prices. I want a new Lincoln.

I just  bought a used Luxury yacht- 75 footer. The  previous owner couldn't afford to feed her anymore with high diesel prices. His wife cried when I took possesion and motored away from the pier with it. Oh, well, their loss!

My Gold keeps increasing in value as the dollar deflates.

I am buying lots of Real Estate now that people can't pay their Mortgages due to higher prices all around.

This economy may not be good, but for me it is getting better day by day.

Answer 10

we wont spend so much money on food

Answer 11

I WORK AT A GAS STATION...AT CHEVRON AND WE ARE EXPENSIVE BUT THE STUFF WE USE HELPS UR ENGINES...AND SUM PLACES PUTS WATER IN THERE GAS AND THAT MESSES UP YOUR CAR

Answer 12

The only bright side to high gas prices is that it discourages wasteful use of this finite resource. If it forces travellers to use public transport that is good. The most environmentally friendly method of transporting people and freight is electric powered rail, but at the moment it is too expensive to be attractive.

Answer 13

if you work for an oil company there are some pretty good "benefits".

Answer 14

well its bringing the govt to realize and car companies to build other types of cars and other means of gas or what they need to motivate to buy something else it should have been done eyars ago and this would not have hurt us. we leaned on saudie and they could care less they are for the almighty dollar and i say let them hang and go after other means of stuff and move on with out them

Answer 15

People are driving less. That means less SUVs on the streets guzzling petrol as they deliver Muffy and Lance to soccer practice at the park, usually located 2 blocks away.

People are walking more. People are carpooling and using public transportation. People are SLOWLY learning that it's a fact that MOST of the US' oil comes from CANADA, not the "arabs." Yep, lots of good things.

Answer 16

less smog, less traffic, more exercise, more family time, and less car accidents.

Answer 17

corporate world power gets richer.

Answer 18

Hopefully, the end of gas guzzlers, finally. I know myself and all my family are resolved to purchase small, economical electrics and propane powered cars. We are weaning off and will not go back if gasoline drops back to one dollar per gallon. Just for trucks. The time has come.

Answer 19

i'm only 16, so its not like i know a lot, but it seems like we're supporting other countries....

Answer 20

People are using their cars less.  if the prices went back to 1.20 the world would be a big traffic jam.  Its probably helping the earth Recover from a overdose of carbon dioxide to.  the trees need to catch up and make some air out of the carbon dioxide. But prices are coming down a bit.  You might ask if some one is really controlling the prices to help the earth.

Answer 21

less drive by shootings

Answer 22

i ride my bike a lot more and have lost a few pounds