Gas prices continue to rise, commuters see effects
Gerald Sastra / The Cougar
As gasoline prices continue to rise, students, especially commuters, are affected.
Energy economics professor Edward Hirs shared his thoughts on what could be the main cause of the sudden surge in gas prices across the country.
“OPEC wants a higher price for crude oil. It’s that simple, ”Hirs said. “Keep in mind that the pandemic has been an economic disaster for the OPEC countries. Oil is their main source of income.
The pandemic has shown that it affects not only our health, but also our economy.
“During the pandemic, the low price of oil caused hardship in all countries,” Hirs said. “Saudi Arabia has cut nurses’ salaries to zero. And, the OPEC countries have NOT benefited from our vaccination program. They battled COVID-19 without benefiting from their once reliable source of income. “
Hirs also said that should come as no surprise.
“I think gasoline prices were higher than people wanted,” said Alonso Rodriguez, a young reporter who visits UH. “As a student, you find it increasingly difficult to move around every other day, as well as to commute to and from work and to run errands. “
Since Rodriguez also works with the school, he says paying minimum wage for gasoline has been difficult.
“Earning just a little more than minimum wage during a pandemic while going to school and having to pay close to $ 3 a gallon for gasoline takes a quarter of my check,” Rodriguez said.
Hirs also explained what key points, if any, have led to this point and what we can do to help bring prices down again.
“There is nothing we can do to lower oil prices if OPEC + does not want oil prices lower,” Hirs said. “All of our measures would provide temporary relief at best. And why do we want low oil prices? Are we not working to reduce carbon emissions? “
Gasoline prices may not go down for a while, but there are ways to help save you money. Hirs suggests that carpooling with friends or family or using public transportation to get to campus can help you not only save money, but also reduce carbon emissions.
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