But those are not the arguments that are being made by those in a position make decisions related to energy and climate. The US president denies climate change,

But those are not the arguments that are being made by those in a position make decisions related to energy and climate. The US president denies climate change, along with much of his cabinet and his EPA head, and most republicans in congress do not trust the science and in fact spread misinformation and confusion among their constituents. I was at a town hall a few weeks ago for a republican representative who listed the names of a few prominent climate deniers who made a good case to him against anthropogenic climate change 10 years ago (at the time I think claiming it wasn't happening at all, this has since changed to its happening but is natural). Denial of the science is a huge part of why we've not made more progress. I don't even know who you are talking about that is placing the blame for all of this on the consumers, if you have some specifics I would like to know because I would like to chastise them too. Being energy conscious and trying to increase efficiency where possible at the consumer level is part of the solution but most people have no choice at all in where they get their energy (my state doesn't even have the option of purchasing renewables, I have to use renewable energy certificates if I want to do anything with my actual power bill to help). In fact, my power company has a stranglehold over much of the Southeast and many of the state governments that allows them to continually increase their rates while also not offering many renewable energy alternatives.