The Green Movement and Capitalism
First off I think it should be stated that I am all about the Green Movement. Well as much as anyone can be expected to be. I am very aware of the issues, the causes and ways to help. That being said, I am also a through and through capitalist. I believe in the market, I believe that it truely can solve all problems if simply left to be itself. When the government becomes involved and causes artificial change, thats when it goes bad. Many believe this to be a core republican value, but that isn’t true anymore. Hasn’t been for the better part of 3 decades. I believe this trait to be better found in the Libertarian Party now-a-days.
Either way politics aside, what does all of this have to do with Green Movement? Well its simple, and I made this observation yesterday. For the better part of 15 years or so, we have had it thrown down our throats that we must conserve, that we must do what we can to recycle and save this precious planet. Again don’t get me wrong, but this shouting and marketing is completely useless. It hasn’t changed a thing. Oh sure in some circles maybe, and on micro examples certainly. But as a whole, as the general public, not a bit, or at the very least so little that it hasn’t made any impact at all. Now I am sure that many will respond claiming that it helps, and maybe it does, but my point isn’t that it shouldn’t be done. My point is that it is completely ineffective, considering another approach. That approach being the market and pure supply and demand economics.
In a few short years oil and for that matter fuel has risen in costs. We have tripled or quadrupled in as many years? What has this done for us. Well reports are coming out now that are showing that driving is down, people are conserving. As the price continues to increase, one can only assume this trend will continue. All it took was some price changes.
Another benefit starts to take hold as well. As the price of oil increases so does the viability of alternative energies. Research and usage of wind, solar, E85, etc. all becomes reasonable and competitive.
So what am I saying? Well I think its great that the tree hugers of the world are shouting at us about saving this planet. After all its a wonderful message. However, I think it would have been more effective to either a) let the market run its course or b) and I can’t believe I am going to say this, lobby the government to increase taxes on fuel. Okay I don’t like b) either, but it would have been quite effective, I think more effective then what has been done so far.
