Scenes of popular support for lower fuel prices hide the deeper reality of the cost to millions worldwide as global warming kicks in. Evidence comes in weekly of what we're doing to the environment and our health by burning fossil fuels without limit. Despite catalytic converters, emissions continue to cause serious urban air pollution too. Pump prices don't reflect the health and environmental costs of daily car journeys in global warming and urban pollution. To get public support, a substantial proportion of the present tax must visibly be set aside to fund environmental renewal, public transport and rural infrastructure.
People have no trust in higher fuel prices if they can see nothing in return that they value.
If the tax revenues provided better bus, rail, cycle and pedestrian facilities, then leaving the car behind might begin to make sense. In many rural areas, where car use has few real alternatives, local shops and other facilities are the priority to shorten journeys. Think long term. It is our children's future. Just getting in the car to work, school or church has a bigger cost than we realise.