High oil prices are great for the environment.
Let me repeat again.
High oil prices are great for the environment.
It's the cornerstone of a sensible energy policy in every corner of the industrializing and industrialized world.
High oil prices does two things:
(1) It makes alternative energy sources more viable because the cost differential narrows, or in some cases, the differential is reversed.
(2) It dampens demand.
We all need to feel the pain of high energy prices. Without it, there is no policy, subsidy, or tax incentive that will force us to find other sources while getting us to simply consume less.
High prices are a powerful way to change human behavior -- which is what we have to do to manage our resources from now until who knows when. When the price per kilowatt or the dollars per gallon is high, it forces us to be more efficient with our energy consumption - not just as a nation or as a community, but as individuals.
It all starts with individuals.
When prices are high, we can't afford to leave the lights on.
When prices are high, we can't afford to drive in our separate cars to the same restaurant.
When prices are high, we will think twice about turning up the heat or blasting the air conditioning.
When prices are high, we will more likely walk more, and drive less.
We will find ways to really change our lifestyle (which we have to do as individuals) in order to really have an impact on managing our energy resources.
Continued and sustained high oil prices is one of the best things to have happened for a greener world.
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