It is believed by many people that some environmental problems stem from the excessive use of fuel-generated vehicles, and therefore, raising the cost of this energy source can help reduce the damage. In my personal opinion, this is a very beneficial measure, but increasing the cost alone cannot solve the problems entirely.
First and foremost, it is evident that the emissions given off by motor vehicles are a major cause of air pollution in big cities. For instance, Hanoi is well-known to be one of the cities with the worst air quality, deriving from the enormous number of cars and motorbikes. This might result in some fatal conditions, namely cancer and other respiratory illnesses, threatening public health and putting a great strain on the healthcare system. Furthermore, the CO2 that is released from cars can contribute to global warming and further speed up ozone layer depletion.
With that being said, I completely agree with the idea of putting more green tax on fuel. If this measure were applied on a large scale, we would actually see vivid improvement in the air quality. Besides, the government could even use that revenue to invest in better community services, such as public transport or medical facilities.
But getting rid of these environmental problems requires a combination of long-term and sustainable practices. Apart from raising the fee, the government should encourage residents to shift to electric vehicles and public transport, which are more eco-friendly, as well as launching campaigns to educate people about the devastating effects that the overuse of gasoline-powered vehicles can have on the environment. Another practice that can be adopted is improving the quality of the public transportation system.
In short, I approve of the idea of raising environmental taxes on fuel, as it can aid in improving air quality and minimizing other consequences. But it is necessary that we combine a set of measures to fully tackle these environmental issues.