Exxon Mobile made more money in 2007 than any other American company, ever! That also means Americans are buying more gas and driving more miles than we have in the past. If Americans are willing to pay $3.50 and up than we should set the price that high, permanently. $4.00 gasoline. When the price fluctuates it will not be Exxon receiving the profits; the American people will be benefiting. Taxes will keep the price per gallon permanent and when gas is cheap the surplus will be divided between renewable energy and public transportation.
Expensive gas will certainly upset people; however, it will also make people think twice about the car they purchase and more importantly how often they drive that car. In addition it will keep record profits out of the hands of people at Exxon Mobile and allocate money to the renewable energy and public transportation industries that will be so imperative for future generations.
Now I realize I have not laid down a concrete plan for the future, but what I am trying to emphasize is the seriousness of the situation we have on our hands. Our planet is in peril and if we do not act now changes will happen that will not be remedied. To speak frankly, I do not want to see gas be $4.00 a gallon year round. Driving is necessary, especially with the lack of public transit in this country; driving is neither wrong nor irresponsible. What I am trying to impress on people is that if drastic measures are the only way to reach certain people and change their habits and begin to diverge from the path we are heading down (which will lead to catastrophic climate change and energy crisis) than drastic measures need to be taken. We are ALL going to need to make sacrifices.
I hope all who started this blog are still reading and I would like to make note of the fact that the rest will be of a lighter nature.
It is Saturday in Helena, Montana and Wild Rockies Field Institute students have the afternoon and evening off! Even on a course as enjoyable as this, it is very nice to have some time off. Believe or not we have had a very busy schedule and a relatively heavy course load even out in the field. This weekend in Helena is coincidentally Governors Cup; a big weekend in Helena with street fairs and a marathon. With some extra time on my hands, I decide to stroll through the walking mall adjacent to The Placer. As I wander I find not one, but two free spinal health assessments at the Heath Fair. What a unique city Helena is; most street fairs I have been to do not involve free health care, instead they offer expensive greasy food.
The day off also meant the students were responsible for their own dinner. We all went out together minus the Green girls, whose company was missed. However, they had a chance to spend quality time with family in Helena.
As a final note, nearly three weeks into the course, I would like to take it upon myself to provide a theme. As a disclaimer though, readers should know this is my personal theme and has not been agreed upon by the other students. EFFICIENCY. I strongly encourage you to read Chapter 11 of Lester R. Brown’s Plan 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. This Chapter is titled Raising Energy Efficiency and parts are written for changes on the macro-scale and others on the micro-scale. It is a quick read and really inspirational; it is especially important for those who may have lost hope in the cause: We cannot lose hope, the world and its occupants are too beautiful.
Stephen Brown, University of Montana
