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The Path to Lower Oil Demand and Gas Prices: A Green Vehicle Revolution Is a Much Better Route Than a Global Financial Crisis
would a showy reduction in in request for oil caused by a green vehicle revolution cause the same type of reduction in oil prices that the global fiscal calamity has?
Overall, I don’t see why not.
In fact, I’m guessing that the eye-opening impact of the financial crisis on oil demand and prices is exactly what major oil producers are afraid of should the world experience a green vehicle revolution.
Think about all the benefits that our society would receive from an oil demand-destroying green vehicle revolution that lowers gas prices via efficient, clean technologies rather than via a global financial crisis:
* Broad economic stimulus beyond the oil sector: the combination of highly efficient clean vehicles and low gas prices will free up untold fortunes of peoples’ gasoline money to be spent on all things non-energy, providing a green injection of economic stimulus far and wide. Previously, I noted that:
switching from a car that gets 20 mpg to individual that gets 50 mpg will save the mediocre american nearly $1,100/year in gas costs at $3/gallon (given the average distance americans indicate per year ? about 12,000 miles; savings waken considerably as gas prices and miles driven go up). that savings is closely two times the money provided to us by our 2008 stimulus checks! multiply that by the 112 million households in the u.s. unexcelled, and that’s $123.2 billion/year that american households are now spending on gas that with a mandate towards more efficient vehicles, they would have to spend on?everything else.
Even at currently lower gas prices, a Clean Vehicle Revolution promises to be a significant stimulative force in our economy.
* Greater economic stability as we break society free from the whims of increasingly unstable oil markets: I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t be thrilled to see more stability and predictability in their energy bills. The volatility of gas and other energy prices crimps many a budget — from families to businesses to whole governments.
Another — and major — economic benefit is that the U.S. will no longer need to spend untold $billions on military operations to secure oil supplies in the world’s most unstable regions — which cost us dearly both economically and politically. A Clean Vehicle Revolution promises to be a welcome stabilizing force.
* Massive environmental benefits - climate change and beyond. Not only will global heating carbon emissions be dramatically slashed, but so will emissions of other pollutants that have negative — and expensive — impacts on human well-being, like particulates, ground-level ozone, and acid rain-causing pollution. As I’ve noted previously, these environmental impacts of vehicle pollution inflict untold $billions in health-related, agricultural, and quality of life damages upon families and businesses each year. A Clean Vehicle Revolution will be healthy for our environment, and as a result, for our families and businesses.
* Significant security benefits will result from cutting off the flow of dollars from our gas and energy purchases that currently end up funding harmful agendas of countries that don’t like us. Reports are that the Saudis, Iranians, and Russians — countries that either showed increasing military boldness as oil prices rose (e.g., Russia and Iran), or are breeding and financing terrorism (e.g., Iran and Saudi Arabia) — are struggling with their first budget deficits in years. That means less money to spend on military adventurism and support for terrorist groups. Of course, the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty and the associated lack of education and social services, will still need to be addressed.
* Obviously, there are many more environmental, economic, security, and quality of life benefits that we will realize via a green vehicle revolution. You get the picture. Please feel free to contribute more in the comments below!
A Temporary Window of Opportunity - We Need to Act Now and Act BIG
Unfortunately, unless we act now to implement a green vehicle revolution at World War II mobilization-level speed, the low gas prices that we’re currently enjoying will be painfully short-lived. In fact, as soon as
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He did well enough for me when Kimo fought Shamrock at UFC 48, so I guess I’m ok with the move. From a press release in my inbox: