Gas Prices Are Up? I Hadn't Noticed
Robert Ariail Editorial Cartoon
Apparently gas prices have gone up. I hadn't noticed. I ride a bike. Of course I do notice the news and the fact that the local sandwich shop has raised it's prices. But the price of gas for my transportation itself does not affect me or my fellow cyclists and I just wish that more people would wake up to that fact and wake up fast.
We have this amazingly simple, fun, fast and elegant answer to many, if not all, of our problems, and I am baffled when I see so many people still driving around in their expensive, isolating, polluting metal cages every day.
I love this cartoon. It is just that simple sometimes. If high gas prices are the excuse we need to rediscover our bicycles, fine. The truth is, they are the better way. Now is the moment that we North Americans discover our own energy, our own agency, and the better way that has been waiting for us all along.
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I am pessimistic: "We" North
I am pessimistic:
"We" North Americans at this point in our evolution accounts for only an enlightened few.
In my travels I am still encountering a good portion of the populace (Canada, and the U.S.) that are screaming for "More oil/drilling so I can drive my car"...
The main positive is that a lot of these folks ARE talking about smaller vehicles (though the usual arguments concerning Trades people needing a larger vehicle are still being "floated"...).
There is still an ingrained devil in many North American brains: It's the addiction to over-consumption.
Many (especially in the States) see any suggestion of trying to change that attitude as a political threat ("AHHHHHHHH! SOCIALISM!").
The battle for enlightenment of the North American populace will go on for a long time yet; and we need to continue to inform the general public on the REAL alternatives to Oil; as well as how to best employ those alternatives (Fuel Cells in cars are one of the best examples: These are best employed as a power-source for our homes. Not in cars: Creating infrastructure, and handling/shipping Hydrogen for cars is not an efficient use of this technology).
It is good to see the truth concerning Corn-based biofuels getting out...
The Bicycle is only a small player in the big picture; and thought it is an excellent "Messenger" due to it's/Our visibility: We are not going to get a large enough portion of the Population onto bikes in the timeline required (for our Biosphere).
The price of Oil alone isn't going to cause a paradigm shift I'm afraid. Introduction of WORKING alternatives to Oil IS. Coupled with accurate information on the benefits/introduction/cost.