Energy consumption, and suburban sprawl: Is the government the solution or the problem? So, two of the major reasons I see that Americans are using so much more energy per capita than the rest of the world (other than Australia, I think), are obviously that we drive more and walk/ride bikes less, we tend to like bigger, less efficient vehicles, and that because we have more space, like Australia, our population centers tend to grow outward rather than upward, and more and more people have having longer daily commutes.

Now, as gas prices are going up, people will have more incentive to drive less, drive more efficient cars, and live in more convenient location to where they work. On top of this, the collapse of the housing market will make housing more affordable in the convenient locations, it will take away the incentive for builders to keep building more and more new suburban communities.

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4 months ago

As fewer people will qualify for mortgages, more people will be looking to move into apartments, which is a far more efficient way to live, and will likely be closer to jobs and commerce than the houses would have been.

The combination of rising energy prices and the falling home values seems like the perfect storm to force Americans into more efficient lifestyles without having to use government recourses or anger the people with rules, regulations and new taxes that may otherwise be required to bring about such changes. Why is it that so many of the very people who claim to care about the environment, are screaming for the government to ‘fix’ these ‘problems’ caused by the free market.

4 months ago

William,
Gas prices do change behavior. I don’t know how much money you make, but $500 means something to some people, and as prices continue to rise it will be more. I know that even in my urban neighborhood where most people don’t have long commutes, people are coordinating to car-pool to work and more are riding bikes. Do you not believe the ability of Honda and Toyota to break into the American market in the late 70s and early 80 had something to do with the energy crisis?

It takes time for changes like this to effect lifestyles. People may not run out and move or buy a new car as soon as gas prices go up, but next time they need a new car, efficiency will be a consideration. Next time they move, proximity to work will be a consideration. As urban location become more desirable, the urban neighborhoods will be invaded with people who have to go to work every day and the inner city crime and poverty will be pushed out to the outskirts.

4 months ago

Linlyons,
Food prices are another good example. Most of the price difference has to do with shipping costs. Check on the price of locally produced goods, and you’ll find that they haven’t changed as much. This will make locally grown foods more attractive, and once again promote a more sustainable lifestyle.

Best Answer

No, Americans will just make do. We%26#039;ll ***** and moan, but not change our lifestyles until severely impacted.

Here%26#039;s an example. My gasoline cost has risen by 50% in the past year. What does that mean to me? What used to cost 20 bucks a week now costs 30. So, a little more than $500 a year. It is a nuisance, but I%26#039;m not really changing my lifestyle.

By the way, the %26quot;collapse%26quot; of the housing market isn%26#039;t a collapse at all. It is a slight price correction in all but the worst of areas (Detroit). It means new home construction will be reduced, but also that those homes in the suburbs will become more affordable. The %26quot;convenient%26quot; locations, by which I gather you mean more urban areas, won%26#039;t change any more, and considering that most urban families want to leave those urban decay areas, they will find the suburbs more attractive. It happened in Houston during the 1980s in a tremendous way. What were upper middle class %26quot;white%26quot; communities are now marginal working class areas due to the number of apartments built there (originally for convenience to growing office space). So, a housing slump really just damages suburbs. It doesn%26#039;t help urban areas at all. Never has, never will. Economic boom times help urban areas (gentrification).

Have a nice day, and please don%26#039;t let reality get in your way.

Oh, lastly, government is ALWAYS the problem. They mean well, but use the stick more than the carrot. That%26#039;s the way Democrats are.

Asker's Rating:

As much as I disagree with you, you’re the only one who addressed the question.

Other Answers (6)

• Many people (especially Democrats) see government as the fix for most any perceived problem. Which is, of course, nonsense; government regulations drive where people build and live, but ultimately the market prevails. The whole question of how to effectively create and use energy is far too complex to try to address here.
• %26lt;%26lt;Why is it that so many of the very people who claim to care about the environment, are screaming for the government to ‘fix’ these ‘problems’ caused by the free market.%26gt;%26gt;
  
  never mind gas, bought milk, or bread, or cereal, lately?
  that%26#039;s %26quot;free market%26quot; for ya.
  
  doesn%26#039;t help you at all.
• The Government could be the solution if it really truly wanted to be. Also, Americans want what they want, but are not willing to make sacrifices for it.
• The governement is never the solution, it is always part of the problem.
• We live in a Republic. It is an indirect democracy. This should help to protect the interests of all. But in most electrions we have low turnout. We cynically say that it is the politicians. The alternative to politics is civil war. We should have a ballot that says: NONE OF THE ABOVE.
  
  In a democracy the people get the government they deserve. Wake up, people, and get together. When you hear demagoguery, denounce the speaker. The internet is here. Research your potential representatives.
  
  It is possible for the government to manage and regulate, with open meetings and sincere and honest people IF we aren%26#039;t the SOME OF THE POEPLE WHO ARE FOOLED ALL THE TIME.
  
  There%26#039;s enough demagoguery to go around to all the parties. I believe we would be better served if there were more parties instead of voting for Coke and Pepsi, look for the smaller guys.