There have at times been emails circulating on the Internet asking people to join day long boycotts of gasoline, or boycotts of individual oil companies.  The intent is to exert pressure on these companies to lower prices.

There is general agreement among environmentalists and oil analysts that these boycotts have negligible effect. The seem only to make people think they are doing something.

It is also agreed that the real way for consumers to have a significant effect on the use and perhaps price of oil is to drive less, drive smaller vehicles, and conserve in a myriad of ways over a long period of time.  Changing habits, consuming differently, persistence… those are the keys to meaningful action.

Sort term boycotts are not recommended as they divert energy and attention to the real task at hand… creating permanent change.