Viewpoint: Gas price recoil shows need for cultural shift
Americans need to change their mindsets when it comes to energy use, the author says.
California drivers pulling up to the pump this week experienced severe sticker shock as gas prices hit a record high of more than $5.
The average price for gas in California on Friday was $4.49, a vast difference from the national mean of $3.79, and 32 cents more than last week’s numbers in the state, the Associated Press reported. Some gas stations even closed down in light of the oil shortage, which spurred from a power outage at a Southern California refinery.
While the influx in prices was an isolated incident, resulting from a temporary shortage in oil that is expected to be stabilized by the end of the week, the crippling impact among the community is indicative of the need for a cultural shift in the way Americans use energy.
Though environmental policy has continued to be a contentious issue in Congress, the key to enacting policy that will alleviate the emission of fossil fuels and create a cleaner environment stems from altering public opinion and creating a culture less dependent on detrimental forms of energy.
According to a September Pew Research Center poll gauging issues of importance to voters in the 2012 presidential election, energy policy was ranked as a voting priority by 55% of voters — down from 77% in 2008.
Clearly, improving the quality of the environment has been put on the backburner for a substantial portion of the electorate, and swaying their sentiments will be no easy task. In an era rampant with unemployment as a result of an unstable economy, jobs and market rejuvenation has taken precedence over climate change.
Without the visible effects of the greenhouse gas effect, Americans will remain stringent against policy that would threaten their day-to-day routines, namely carbon taxes or cap-and-trade policy, both of which have been met with extreme criticism in Congress.
However, Americans need to realize that whether or not they directly experience the impact of climate change in their day-to-day experiences, it is crucial that they change their mindsets toward energy use.
The key to influencing the public stems from educational efforts. Implementing discussion of modern-day environmental affairs in high school and college curricula is crucial to instilling climate change as a critical issue in the minds of America’s youth, the future policymakers of the country.
It's imperative that awareness of environmental issues also extends to the entire country, in hopes of inspiring lifestyle changes that result in increased rates of bike riding, carpooling and cognizant energy-saving practices -- all easily transitions into daily lives.
Additionally, Congress needs to view the environment as less of a partisan battle resulting in continual gridlock, but as a critical problem that transcends party lines. Without cooperation from both Republicans and Democrats, policy aimed at alleviating the detrimental effects of fossil fuels will never be implemented.
While gas prices continue to rise, it’s up to the American electorate to take the challenge to live more environmentally friendly lifestyles and become more receptive of policy designed to create a better planet. In doing so, Congress will be apt to unite to enact critical legislation on climate change.
Bethany Biron is a Fall 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about her here.
This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.