Many individuals contend that the most effective approach to cope with environmental issues globally is raising the price of fossil fuels like petroleum and coal. However, I entirely disagree with this statement. This essay will support my opinion with reasons and empirical evidence.
To commence with, the first major reason why an increase in energy costs will not necessarily have a significant positive impact on the environment is the limited range of environmental problems it can address. Advocates of this practice suggest that a rise in fuel prices will deter people from using private vehicles and encourage them to opt for more cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation alternatives such as public transport or bicycles. Consequently, the volume of exhaust fumes from vehicles will notably diminish, thus improving the overall air quality. Nonetheless, looking at the bigger picture, this reduction seems marginal as exhaust fumes only account for approximately 15% of the sources of air pollution worldwide. Additionally, the only problem directly affected by changes in fuel prices is air pollution since it is almost irrelevant to the causes of other issues such as water contamination or noise pollution.
Another main reason is that nearly all our fundamental facilities like electricity and heating rely on non-renewable energy. A rise in the cost of these fuels will surely lead to an increase in the price of such amenities, putting a significant strain on the economy of countless households, some of which may lose access to these necessities as they are unable to afford them.
In conclusion, raising the cost of fuel is not the optimal solution to environmental matters because the influence of this practice is confined to air pollution. Moreover, it can subject many families to financial hardships and even worsen their living standards.