CONSERVING DURING A CRISIS

The movement of the prices for petrol products over the last several weeks has caused a lot of concern in many parts of the world. Jamaica, being a total importer of petroleum, has been affected by the global price increases. In the scheme of the petrol industry, we may be classified as 'price takers'. This literally means we have no control over the price for a barrel of oil so we have to “take it” or “leave it”.

“Take it” or “Leave it”
As our country develops, the need for petroleum products increases. Therefore, we have very little choice in whether or not we use petroleum products such as 87 and 90 Octane and Auto Diesel. The best choice we have regarding the use of these products is to use them wisely, conserving when we can and to realize that these are expensive commodities that must be paid for.

Electricity
Electricity is another commodity that is used daily on all levels by Jamaicans. Most of the energy that is used to generate electricity in Jamaica also comes from imported petroleum. As the cost of petroleum goes up on the world market, the cost of energy (our light bill) also goes up. When the two situations are combined, that is, the rising costs for transportation (petrol price increases) and the rising cost of energy (light bill increases) the purchasing power of the average consumer decreases.

How do we conserve?
Every Jamaican needs to begin to conserve on the use of petrol products. We need to develop an energy conservation plan for ourselves beginning at the household level. Start by identifying all the things we use that require petroleum products, monitor the way we use them and begin to reduce our wastage of these products. At the level of the household, there are four basic things we need to be aware of when it comes to conservation: Transportation (whether we own cars or take public transport), Electricity, Water and Telephone. These four areas along with Grocery, take up the largest share of expenses at the level of the household. Each is very important, and for most people none can be absolutely stopped.

Understand the Linkages
Many consumers may not fully understand the linkages between petroleum and other commodities such as water. Remember however, that the water we get in our pipes at home has to be pumped using electrical pumps. Therefore, there is a significant electricity and petroleum component to the water service that we all enjoy. For petrol, we see the prices at the pump change upwards or downwards each week when we fill up our tanks, so there is a direct connection, yet we may not see the connection with the way we use our vehicles or plan our travel routes and the amount of petrol we have to purchase on a weekly basis. With respect to electricity the connection may not be as clear, as our light bills are paid monthly, and many of us may not fully understand the way the electricity bill is made up. In “light” of all these, during the next few weeks the Consumer Affairs Commission will be using this space to “teach” householders how to develop their own conservation plans.

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