Opinions are divided on whether raising fuel prices is the most effective method to tackle environmental issues. From my perspective, even though this measure could bring about certain advantages, it is by no means the most effective regulation to solve problems related to the environment.
On the one hand, a higher cost of petrol could theoretically lower the demand for private means of transportation, and boost the use of public transport as an alternative way to commute or travel. This could reduce exhaust gas emissions, which are the primary cause of the greenhouse effect. In addition, as fuel is a vital input for various products across multiple industries, not just for moving from place to place, any rise in related expenditures would exert multiple impacts on the cost of goods sold to the public. More expensive consumer products could lessen both consumption and production activities, resulting in less natural resource exploitation and reduced disposal of industrial waste into the environment.
On the other hand, I believe the government, through financial subsidies, could effectively address environmental problems with minimal negative adverse effects on society. For example, in Nordic countries, electric cars have been adopted as the favoured vehicles by the residents there. This is in no small part due to generous subsidy programs from their governments, and has greatly contributed to eliminating air pollution in the urban areas of these nations. Another method would be greater investments into publicly funded research with the objective of lessening the financial burden of switching to alternative energy. The high costs of solar and wind power prevent customers from fully utilizing these types of clean energy, so making them more affordable is key to their widespread adoption.
In conclusion, while there could be some positive impacts from increasing consumer fuel costs, the subsidization of clean energy would be a much more effective and sustainable way to solve environmental problems.
Vocabulary | Paraphrasing
