I agree that we as individuals need to change our consumption. I'm already to the point where I go up to a week without going anywhere in the car so I think I've just about done what I personally can. But what steams my clams is the unnecessary usage I see in local, state and federal governments.
We live in a smallish subdivision, but yet the school buses come into the subdivision, drive all the way through and stop at each kid's driveway. The bus could make one stop at the front -- it's not far for the little darlings to walk that far. There are lots of subdivisions in our area that are the same way and they bus goes into every one, stopping at each driveway. Is that necessary? How much gas could be saved by eliminating the mileage driven in all those areas?
Do we, as a country, really need Saturday mail delivery? How much gas would we save by eliminating Sat. delivery?
When state officials travel to a conference, why do they each get to take a state car? Why can't they form up carpools and put four in each car, since they're all going to the same place, for the same event?
Why do the cops drive 80+ MPH around here on the Interstate when they're not responding to a call (at least I assume they're not since the lights aren't flashing). If you 're responding to a call, turn on the lights. If not, slow down and maximize your MPG (same goes for individuals, but that's another story).
Why does the guy who reads our water meter drive the whole route, stopping at each house and getting out of the truck to take the reading? Why can't he park at the top of each street and walk? Yes, I get that it saves time for him to drive, but we're nearing the point where time/convenience is going to have to become a secondary concern, not the primary concern.
The list goes on. I could also rail against businesses I see wasting gas, but that's another topic. I just get frustrated that we, as individuals, get told to conserve, conserve, conserve -- and some of us do -- but the governments seem to go merrily on making no changes. If the govt. would take some changes, they could really help make a big difference in the demand for gas and, as a result, the prices.
It's going to take all of us working together as individuals, governments and businesses to change the way we live and ease our dependence on oil. Individuals can only do so much -- we need help.