I'm a subject matter expert: Part 7

Here is part 7 of my 7 part series:

What can I do, as an individual, to help make the transition to a more sustainable economy?

That is a terrible question to ask an economist because my answer will seem so strange. I don’t think people should go out of their way to live greener, etc., unless this is what they enjoy doing.  I expect people to respond to economic incentives and right now we don’t have the right incentives in place to transition to a more sustainable economy. Higher prices for products that generate pollution during the production and consumption process are necessary to get consumers to change behavior in a big way. Instead of spending a bunch of time recycling and buying green-labeled paper towels, consumer-voters should do as much as possible to get a $1 per gallon increase in the gas tax.

Comments

[Cervus]

I would like a detailed explanation of the benefits of that $1 per gallon increase into federal government coffers before I start that kind of advocacy. I already hand this government up to 20% of my paycheck (income and social security taxes). This would increase my contribution roughly $40 per month, or $480 per year, over what I already give them. I'm already at my financial limits without going into more debt. It's not like I can go out and buy a Prius. And I simply cannot afford to move closer to work.