A light can replace …

I will try to find some time to put my opinion on the implications of the oil price increases further, but for now I have a bit of food for thought.If we support the assertion that oil prices will continue to rise through various forces, which can be fully detailed later, one question must relate to internarnational transport and also internal transport.Certainly, international transport of goods and services will take priority both in use of resources financially and if applicable in terms of scare resources.Internal transport will have to be realigned both to save precious resources and also due to financial resasons, for the sake of fiscal spending and foreign exchange.Now, what about internal transport at a micro level?We always assume that persons in small island states like Barbados will be worse off than large nations. Certainly this may be true at a macro level, due to the larger nations ability to apply significant resources to a problem, which then impacts invididuals.Neverhteless, my question is, in times of extreme high transport costs or even scarcity, would one be better off living in a large nation, for example living in New Jersey, having to get oneself to work far away? Or (for transport costs individually) would one be better off living in a small island nation, such as Barbados, where one just needs to walk or bicycle four or five miles, in some cases ten, to work/ school?I suggest that we in Barbados would be significantly better off then those in large countries, if only in this aspect of increasing prices of transport.While this is only one aspect of the fallout of high transport costs, it is significant.What this means is that as a nation, we must improve public transportation to a safe and reliable level, such that citizens feel less need to have a vehicle for reliable transport.It also means that we need to assess our infrastructure at an early stage, to include more pavements and walkways and bicycle lanes, such that when the time comes, we are well prepared.One of the most wonderful ideas that I have seen implemented in Barbados recently is the case of bicycle taxis’ in Baridgetown.Absolutely brilliant! The owner/s of these should receive an environmental award!Peace.