Why should consumers pay extra for hybrid vehicles?

Over the last several months I've paid close attention to hybrid vehicle ads, and I'm not sure that I can think of one that didn't utilize the environment in its campaign.

Why not use the environment?

Obviously, one of the most important differences between a hybrid and a standard automobile is the environment. Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius produce far less pollution than the average automobile.

Nonetheless, if it wasn't for the pollution created by automakers, consumers wouldn't be concerned about such issues.

The majority of the world's scientists believe global warming is a serious problem; however, most scientist agree, things will get dangerously worse if we don't take serious action now.

Just one hundred years ago, the city of Los Angeles was much more of a town than a city, and even 50 years ago, smog was unheard of. It only took a few decades to create this problem.

Now India and Japan, countries of billions of citizens - much larger populations than America - are doomed to repeat our same mistakes. With such large populations, the environmental damage caused in the last 50 years won't even compare.

That is, if the auto industry, especially the U.S. industry, continues at the same pace. Things must change.

So, why is corporate automotive ignorance, even negligence, the responsibility of consumers?

While it is great that many Americans are willing to foot the bill, it's sad that corporate profiteers have taken so long to accept any responsibility.