The price of oil has gone up 15 percent since January, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune on April 5. The price spike has been caused by sanctions levied on Iran to curtail their nuclear development program.
The Obama administration has been able to convince Europe to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, who receives many of the oil payments. They have also attempted to get many of Asia’s top buyers to stop relying on Iranian supply (Tribune), all while continuing their own boycott of Iranian oil.
Many have been feeling the effects of this decision. Even college students aren’t immune.
“On one hand, it’s ridiculous that we need to have a huge war over who has nuclear weapons. It’s depressing because people are losing their jobs and ruining the economy because of the [Iranian] government’s actions,” said Dane Silber, a sophomore English and education major.
“However, it is important for national security,” Silber continued. “We don’t want to have an arms race.”
“I think at the moment, the world’s oil supply is sufficient so we really don’t need Iranian oil at the present time,” said sophomore communications major Taylor Cottle.
“I drive a lot so I understand gas prices rising is horrible, but I’d rather pay a couple extra cents per gallon and go with the boycott if the president thinks it’ll be effective,” Cottle added.
Students are dealing with the raising gas prices in their own unique ways. .
“I think about where I go before I go out,” said Chris Mayne, a student at Frederick Community College who has to commute to school every day. “I try and make trips more efficient to cut down on unneeded driving.”