Rising gas prices got you down?
As the gasoline prices continue to rise, the calls for gasoline and gasoline station boycotts intensify.
Boycotts? Let’s get realistic.
Nobody wants to say it but the single most effective way to fight back against high gas prices is simple: drive less.
I’m not saying don’t drive, just drive less, because no amount of boycotting oil companies, in any form, will ever lower prices.
Here’s why — oil and gas are global markets and demand is not going down.
The U.S. already is consuming more oil daily than the country can refine daily. Therefore, the remaining demand must be met with imported gasoline.
This means whichever company is being boycotted can just sell their product elsewhere, most likely to the companies that are now supplying their old customers.
If these companies don’t sell the gas to us, they will sell it to someone else, and it wouldn’t be any cheaper.
As a result, driving less appears to be the best solution.
Find ways to avoid using so much gasoline, such as carpooling or taking care of all your errands at one time.
Try walking, riding a bike or taking the bus. Not only will it cut down gasoline usage, but it also can benefit the environment.
Since driving has become a must in many people’s lives, look for greater vehicle efficiency.
Even as prices skyrocket, new lines of gas-gulping SUVs and high-horsepower cars debut in flashy ads showing everything but the expected gas bills for a year of use.
Trade in those vehicles and resist the urge to own big and flashy cars. Purchase something more fuel efficient, or invest in a hybrid — 65 miles to the gallon sounds pretty nice right now.
Keeping vehicles well maintained also is worth mentioning.
Regularly change the oil and air filter, check tire pressure and don’t over use the air conditioner.
Performing these small tasks can help get the best fuel economy possible from your vehicle and will help lower the daily demand for gasoline.
Only when the global demand for oil and gasoline goes down will the price of gasoline go down. Boycotting local gas stations will only hurt a local business and won’t have any effect on the oil company that supplies it.
—Chris Lusk
Editor
