Many claim that high gas prices are good for the environment because every time gas prices increase, the demand for gas decreases. Think about it! Do you drive your car more when the price of gas is sky high? Or do you drive it less? The fact is that most people look for other alternatives when gas prices are sky high and only drive their cars when and if it is necessary.
Many claim that the upside to high gas prices is its effect on the environment because people are driving less instead of more. The fact is that the less we drive the less oil we will consume which will result in less negative effects on the environment. Many turn to public transportation. The environment benefits from those who are using public transportation instead of their cars since that public transportation uses less energy and emits less greenhouse gasses.
As the prices of gas continue to increase, people will start purchasing more efficient cars. Once again, the environment benefits. Huge cars are expensive to fill up and they emit more carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides than smaller cars.
High gas prices cause businesses to change their habits also. Some companies have even transitioned to a four-day working week instead of a five or six day working week due to the effects of high gas prices. The result of this is that employees started to save on at least one to two days of gas thus using less gas on a weekly basis. Energy consumption within building has reduced as well due to the decrease in the use of heating or cooling facilities. Some companies that have transitioned to a four-day working week also mentioned other benefits such as less absenteeism, less health complaints, better morale and more relaxed and enthusiastic employees.
So yes, high gas prices are painful especially for low and middle class families who are faced with making difficult choices. Since that there is little that we can do about the high gas prices, it is better for us to focus on the bright side which is that the environment benefits – less pollution, less traffic congestion, and smarter choices which eventually results in a healthier planet.
