Energy conservation is once again in the limelight all across the globe.
Some environmentalists maintain that
to put up the price of gasoline and electricity
is the only effective way to realize the goal.
As much as I can relate to what's intended in such idea,
I just don't think it deserves to be called the only effective way.
Sure, it is tempting to think this proposal can work like a charm.
By raising the price of electricity, the government is urging
every household to cut down on energy consumption.
When seeing utility bills go up,
people would think twice in terms of electrical appliances,
such as lights out during day time,
choosing fans over air conditioners during heat waves
and keeping windows shut tight to keep the heat in during cold months.
Quite similarly, with the rising cost of gasoline,
commuters are more likely to walk, bike, car pool, or use mass transit.
So higher prices do help reduce energy consumption,
but let's face it, this is just one side of the story.
People are going to be gritting their teeth because
normally nobody likes those high prices coming out of their wallets.
For those living in rural area, there is no public transportation;
and for those who live on a budget,
they would face a financial burden that
would restrict their choices of places to go and things to do.
Since this proposal comes with drawbacks that
could easily counterfeit its short-term benefits,
it is necessary to take into consideration alternatives that
can serve the same purpose.
First, government should invest on renewable and sustainable energy.
It is no secret that alternative fuel like solar energy
is ray of hope for the bright future ahead.
Solar cars that can run freely and abundantly
without reliance on gasoline is the crucial to energy conservation.
At present, lots of research is being carried out to run the cars,
but the funding problem still get in the way,
which explains why solar cars are rather costly and still out of reach.
That's where government should step in and fill in the gap.
If government could sponsor the program and make it affordable to the public,
energy efficiency will be guaranteed
and conservation work will also be taken care of.
Moreover, a low carbon lifestyle should be encouraged.
Business and government have to take the lead.
They have to show that they have done everything they can,
and then they can ask people to join the journey.
For example, eco-labeled companies tend to reduce waste,
reuse and recycle components,
and try to extend the product's durability (lifespan) and recyclability.
And government should educate the public about starting small,
reducing the amount of waste by buying minimally packaged goods,
choosing reusable products over disposable ones, and recycling.
Also, they should be informed that
traditional light bulbs have higher energy costs and lower lifespans.
We should opt for LED alternatives that
not only last longer but also cut energy consumption considerably.
To sum up, it is not to say increasing prices of gasoline and electricity 
cannot motivate energy consumption, 
but its downsides overshadow the theoretical effects. 
While other options are available, 
this proposal should by no means be considered the only way.