Although the prices of fuels have greatly increased over the last decade or two, it is argued that further increases in fuel prices are the only way to reduce world consumption of fuel and lessen pressure on the world’s fuel resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Oil, gas and coal are all non-renewable resources.

This

is known worldwide, as well as the fact that society lives above its demands. Even though

fuel

prices have increased significantly over the

last

decade, consumption will still cause these resources to run out eventually. It has been argued that the only way to decrease the

usage

of

fuel

is to

further

increase the prices. Currently, most people think in the present and do not consider the future enough.

Therefore

, to affect people in their everyday lives,

fuel

prices ought to be raised. It is theorised that

this

will significantly decrease fossil

fuel

usage

, as economic impact will be forced onto current users. It is necessary that

fuel

prices are high enough to immediately decrease the wealth of a family and make more people switch to public transport. Critics of

this

would argue,

however

, that society’s fossil fuels,

such

as petrol for cars, have an inelastic price and that price

hikes

Suggestion

hike

would have no effect other than increasing tax and oil company revenues.

In addition

, a significant increase in prices would not only impact each individual, but

also

a whole economy.

Fuel

prices are not only linked to transport,

for example

, but

also

to food production, home heating and entertainment. A rise in prices in all these areas would seriously affect the standard of living of families with limited income and would mean the poorer parts of society would become even poorer. In conclusion, while raising

fuel

prices is one of the most commonly-discussed solutions to

fuel

usage

problems,

this

answer includes too many negative variables. Certainly, increasing

fuel

prices would create a small reduction of transport

usage

, but the far-reaching effects would be unfair and unsustainable.