>Doug
>
>>A simple first step would be a sharp increase in the gasoline tax in
>the U.S. I'm afraid the Hudson will be lapping my ankles before that
>happens.
>
>Suprisingly this probably is NOT the best way to reduce energy consumption.
Hmm, why not? Greenhouse gas emissions are lots lower in Europe and Japan than they are in the U.S. Per US$ [PPP basis] of GDP, the U.S. emits 0.67 kg of CO2; the Netherlands, 0.47; and Japan, 0.38. Annual energy use per capita is 4,035 kg (oil-equivalent) in Japan, 4,738 in the Netherlands, and 7,937 in the U.S. Surely energy prices have something to do with this. Of course, the U.S. population is much more scattered than the Netherlands & Japan, but one reason it's so scattered is that energy is absurdly cheap here.
Energy taxes aren't as regressive as some people think. Affluent people drive more than poorer ones. And the costs could be offset with tax rebates for poorer households.
Doug