If there were an event during which we all did something that had a major, visible, positive impact, I think that would get us fired up. Like if we were all told to change all the light bulbs in our house to compact fluorescents on December 21 or something. They'd need to show how much energy we're consuming already, and then the change that our collective action effected. If it was big enough, we'd probably be thrilled, and much more willing to change other things, as well.
I think most people are only subtly, vaguely aware of how becoming more energy efficient will also save us money. We're spending on energy that we don't necessarily need. If we each modified our households to make them more efficient, we'd all be richer for it. Maybe Al Gore should make a new movie explaining how to get rich and save the world at the same time.
I remember hearing that some people think it's better to leave the lights on because it saves on the heating bill, and some people like to drive with their windows down all the time, because it saves energy that would have been consumed using the air conditioner. I also remember hearing how each of these issues is far more complex than it's made out to be. But there are many who, for one reason or another, are dead-set on one idea that may or may not be correct. "I do this because it saves me energy." It may in fact do the opposite, but the person doesn't know any better. I'll bet in the near future the government or some organization is going to create a massive education campaign to clarify a lot of different ways we can all save energy. They'll hammer home ideas that will benefit us all, and will hopefully stick and be put into widespread practice. But when?
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