After 51 years, local politics has taken centrestage in the lives of most Malaysians. Ever since the 13th general election in March, suddenly the political arena is scrutinised so much more by everyday people, excited and wary of every by-the-minute development. Right now, the biggest thing on everyone's mouth is the Anwar fiasco.
But let's skip that for now, what I'm more interested on is the recent huge price increase of petrol, which initially triggered a wide panic by the people who tried to stock up as much as they can before midnight. Just like everyone else, I'm affected by it too. Now I need to fork up 40 bucks to get almost the amount of petrol I could get for 30 bucks. In other words, every 3 refills right now is just almost equivalent to 4 refills in the past.
Unlike most people, I'm somewhat glad by the price hike. Because suddenly, things never heard hitherto - how to save petrol, saving electricity, cutting costs - became nationwide obsession. Things which should've been everyday practices are now touted as the 'new-age' tips of surviving the current situation. We hate to admit it, but all of us are incentive-driven beings - with economic incentive being the strongest. We're only motivated to move our b**ts when our pockets are hit. And it's starting to show too - less jams along roads in KL and highways, and more people taking public transport.
Which in the whole big picture, is good for the environment. Especially with the latest piece of news on global warming. If we're really to go all-out to do our part for global warming, here's what I would suggest:
1. Increase prices of plastic - customers should be charged extra for take-aways using styrofoams and plastic bags. Shopping complexes too, should start charging customers for the number of plastic bags they hand out.
2. Compound garbage collection per weight - When throwing away more will cost you, people will attempt to throw less and recycle more. In fact this is widely practised in countries like Denmark (a recycling haven that should be adopted by every other country).
3. Further increase prices of petrol - but at the same time, improve public transport and provide welfare cushion for the lower income. In countries like Singapore and France, driving is actually more troublesome and takes longer than taking public transport.
Yeah, sure the oil price hike hurts everyone, especially the lower-income group. But with proper welfare structuring and good infrastructure planning, the oil hike in hindsight could be one of the best things to happen. Like the jolt that revolutionised our apathetic attitude to climate change.
But let's skip that for now, what I'm more interested on is the recent huge price increase of petrol, which initially triggered a wide panic by the people who tried to stock up as much as they can before midnight. Just like everyone else, I'm affected by it too. Now I need to fork up 40 bucks to get almost the amount of petrol I could get for 30 bucks. In other words, every 3 refills right now is just almost equivalent to 4 refills in the past.
Unlike most people, I'm somewhat glad by the price hike. Because suddenly, things never heard hitherto - how to save petrol, saving electricity, cutting costs - became nationwide obsession. Things which should've been everyday practices are now touted as the 'new-age' tips of surviving the current situation. We hate to admit it, but all of us are incentive-driven beings - with economic incentive being the strongest. We're only motivated to move our b**ts when our pockets are hit. And it's starting to show too - less jams along roads in KL and highways, and more people taking public transport.
Which in the whole big picture, is good for the environment. Especially with the latest piece of news on global warming. If we're really to go all-out to do our part for global warming, here's what I would suggest:
1. Increase prices of plastic - customers should be charged extra for take-aways using styrofoams and plastic bags. Shopping complexes too, should start charging customers for the number of plastic bags they hand out.
2. Compound garbage collection per weight - When throwing away more will cost you, people will attempt to throw less and recycle more. In fact this is widely practised in countries like Denmark (a recycling haven that should be adopted by every other country).
3. Further increase prices of petrol - but at the same time, improve public transport and provide welfare cushion for the lower income. In countries like Singapore and France, driving is actually more troublesome and takes longer than taking public transport.
Yeah, sure the oil price hike hurts everyone, especially the lower-income group. But with proper welfare structuring and good infrastructure planning, the oil hike in hindsight could be one of the best things to happen. Like the jolt that revolutionised our apathetic attitude to climate change.
I also read news article which reported that mat rempit illegal race has gone down after the price hike, and give the residents of that area peaceful nights, haha =)
ReplyDeleteNow, saving money and electricity is trendy again! In the past, people who exercise caution in their spending are considered a stinge or scrooge.
ReplyDeleteNow we all know why saving and conserving is good!