Thoughts on gas prices
There has been a lot of news lately about rising gas prices again. Some Americans report that gas is nearly $4.00 per gallon in certain parts of the country. I think this is a fascinating discussion because for years, Europe has somehow learned to cope with gas prices that are nearly double what they are here in the States. In August of this year, gas costs $7.00 per gallon in Amsterdam. In London it was something in the range of $6.00. The Greeks get off lightly with gas just slightly over $4.00 per gallon. Interestingly, European per capita consumption of gas and diesel stood at 286 liters a year in 2001, compared to 1,624 in the US, according to IEA figures.
Perhaps higher gas prices ultimately forces people to consider alternate ways to get to work? Perhaps higher gas prices make some folks in Europe decide that going for a jog would be a better way to spend time that cruising the strip in their pimped out Hummer H2. Perhaps higher gas prices will cause less gas consumption which in turn could cause less harm to our planet.
At the very least, perhaps rising gas prices will stimulate consumers to put pressure on corporations to finally deliver alternative methods to propell our four wheeled wonders down the road. I’m certainly not a fan of rising gas prices. But, somehow all of this felt inevitable after I watched Mad Max for the first time. I doubt our generation will see a day when we start to run out of petroleum altogether but some would argue that this is exactly what’s going to happen to our great grandchildren.
One thing you can be sure about. I won’t be buying a Hummer any time soon. Then again, I wouldn’t have bought a Hummer even if gas were free. Hmm, that’s another story isn’t it…
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There’s an interesting take on the Exxon issue in the latest Fortune (the Fortune 500 issue). I get that issue every year as a study guide to what the world thinks (economy).
They’re careful in their praise of Exxon (#1 this year, ousting Wal-Mart). Exxon is the #1 by far this year with more profit and cash than #’s 2-5 combined. WOW.
In my uneducated opinion (I haven’t studied enough of the issue to really form an educated opinion) I feel that during lean-times, even if your company profits greatly, make yourself appear to feel the lean times as well. Grumble and groan with the rest of the company, even if you’re pouring liquid gold into your morning coffee.