I have to admit to a fascination with the current US election campaigns.  As the world's largest economy, we all have a stake in what happens on the 4th November 2008.  Sadly, news this week has put further weight behind my personal fear that economic difficulties will shunt environmental issues to the sidelines.

"Clinton pushes gas tax holiday"

Widely reported this week (here) is the curious concept of a tax holiday.  I cannot help but observe that in the UK a gallon of petrol is fast approaching £5 - that's $10.  In the US the average seems to be around $3.50!  This really proves my point, incomes in Europe and the US aren't too different, yet we Europeans cope with higher petrol prices.  How?  It is clear to me that in the US they are stuck in a vicious circle.  They have got away with having huge, inefficient cars for decades, but now the cost of that inefficiency is beginning to be felt where it hurts.

"Do the Math" 

If I pay $10 for a gallon of fuel and my car averages 50 miles per gallon (mpg), it costs me $0.20 per mile.  If I pay $3.50 for a gallon of fuel and my car averages 17.5 mpg, it still costs me $0.20 per mile!  The numbers are slightly artificial but it makes the point. 

The Obvious Solution

Rather than increase incentives to maintain the status quo, surely the solution is to incentivise public transport and fuel efficient vehicles.

Buy smaller cars or get the bus! 

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