The physics of air travel make clean energy not super useful. At best, we could try to figure out a carbon-neutral way to create combustible fuel, like biofuels

The physics of air travel make clean energy not super useful. At best, we could try to figure out a carbon-neutral way to create combustible fuel, like biofuels. You're right that in general people don't like government policies that potentially lower people's standards of living. Gas taxes are usually very unpopular. But I think "hope everyone becomes more environmentally conscious" is more possible than you think. This is very much a generational issue and I think as the negative effects of climate change become more apparent, the public will begin to see the light. In the US, it would not take a huge change in public opinion to make truly effective environmental policy more tenable. With the current trend, it may only take another decade for over 60% of Americans to believe that climate change should be a top priority: 44% already claim to prioritize it, up from 26% in 2010. Of course, some of these people may not actually like how environment-focused policies affect their lifestyles, but that may change as well.