...Tax...

Let´s suppose there´d be no tax upon gasoline or petrol. Only the market would build the price of petrol at the pump. There´d be a balance between supply and demand, and also some competition between the petrol firms.

Would this market price take into consideration that the fuel is one of if not the main cause of the change in the consistency of our main nutricient, the atmosphere, the air we breath with our lungs. Please stop breathing for 2 minutes and you know what I mean (Disclaimer: this is only an intellectual suggestion for demonstration purposes. I cannot be held responsible if someone should employ this fictive suggestion to his real life situation. It could cause you severe harm).

The price would be affected by demand, and there is continuous, even rising demand, and supply. The oil firms can provide enough fuel for the next decades, they´d set aside a sum for development and exploration, and renewal of refineries, and a profit margin.

The most important thing: the concern about our well-being and further existence wouldn´t influence the price at all, thus not influencing the behaviour of the participients of the fuel market.

This is an important hint where tax should, and must come in: as an instrument to control sensible behaviour of the consumers, thus forcing the oil firm to react appropriately by providing alternatives.

Tax is a necessary instrument to control economic processes, just like the weather and other natural givings.