Why did everyone buy huge SUV's in '99 when gas was cheap? What are the benefits of carpooling? (see details)

Question

In 1999, oil was $9 a barrell. I see many SUV's but not with big families in them, usually a single person and on a cell phone too.

Homes are being built bigger and bigger as well, huge houses and the families aren't that big.

What can be done about wasting energy; is carpooling a good place to start? TY

Answer 1

get solar panels to power the entire house, thats a big viable step , buy hybrids

Answer 2

At the time, I'd say that SUVs were simply considered "popular."  And at the time, people hadn't projected that gas money would be a problem this early in time.  

Yes, carpooling can be a good place to start.

The benefits are as follows:

1)  Obviously, save money on gas.

2)  Less impact on environment when you carpool.

3)  Less parking space is taken up.

4)  Less money will need to be spent on vehicle maintenance.

5)  Less traffic on roads will reduce accidents.

6)  A chance for conversation with classmates and coworkers, which can be good to help you develop, and learn to sustain, strong relationships.

7)  Less chance of someone in the group getting a parking violation if there is only one vehicle to begin with.

Other things you can do, is switch to methods of heating, travel, etc., that don't affect the environment as much.  Stick to highly renewable resources.  

Just today, I reported on a recent upcoming of information:  Global warming, which is in part due to the irresponsible use of fuels that have harmed the environment, is causing Arctic ice to melt at an alarming rate.  Though previous predictions showed that Arctic ice may completely disappear by 2040, new data has recently hinted that it may melt fully by 2012.

Right now, there are a lot of things in the works to reduce unnecessary energy consumption, as well as emission of harmful toxins.  But until then, there are a few simple things you can do.  

1)  Make sure that your house is tightly sealed; it will reduce the heat/cooling used by your home significantly, in most cases.

2)  Don't waste water.  Although water itself can be renewed, it takes energy to keep water clean, and circulating.

3)  Recycle; it takes less energy to reuse something, than it does to make it new.

4)  Bike or walk whenever possible.  Not only will  it help you to stay healthy, you won't be using unnecessary gas mileage.

5)  Install an energy efficient or alternatively sourced furnace in your home.

6)  Large homes, in my experience, aren't too much a problem, as long as people aren't wasting energy with it.  Which, it isn't difficult to avoid doing:  Solar panels are an easy way, as are many other methods.

In the future, we've got many options:  Hydraulic, biomass, geothermic, wind solar, etc.

Answer 3

Oil was never $9.00/barrel.  But, in a free market people buy what they feel best meets their needs subject to their personal budget constraints.  This goes for cars, houses etc.  These are free choices and the last time I checked no one died and left you or any one else in charge of what I drive or what type of house I live in.  You are free to buy what you want, but you must grant me the same freedom.

Answer 4

Huge SUV's were and still are a status symbol. Dido for huge homes.

ldwhiteguy-- also in the 70s the USA started to dismantle our freight rail system. In favor of the tax payer funded highway system---In effect subsudising  the trucking industry.

Answer 5

Everyone bought big SUV's when gas was cheap because - gas was cheap.  And they still are, because it still is.  In 1973, when the first gas crisis occurred, The US decided to set CAFE (corporate average fuel somethings) standards.  What happened?  Trucks were exempted so that businesses could still conduct business.  And guess what?  Suv's were declared to be trucks.  That's why half the vehicles in the US are trucks or SUV's.  What did Japan and Europe do after the gas shock?  They decided to tax fuel highly, build high-speed trains and subways, etc.  That is why they are driving cars, not trucks or suv's now, and that is why they use about 1/4th as much petroleum per person as we do.