Judi said:

Studies show making products more efficient has - along with other factors - already been slightly more effective than renewable energy in cutting CO2 emissions.

The difference is that glamorous renewables grab the headlines.

The key point here is that more efficient use of energy means that utilities can't justify the construction of new power plants based on future demand. The nuclear plants in South Carolina were cancelled before completion because of a lack of demand growth.

Renewables get a lot of press because they don't take $billions$ to build and it doesn't take 10 years to bring them on line.

Wind and solar are easy to scale and once the money is invested to bring on line there are minimal costs to use the electricity they generate. And every time their power is used increases the cost of the power from coal, gas and nuclear.

But you are correct in one aspect - it's mainly about the efficient use of energy. If I was to advise anyone on installing a solar system on their home the very first step is to reduce how energy is being wasted. Insulate, replace old windows, replace old appliances, an old furnace, then install solar. Reducing the amount of energy needed means what you spend on solar goes further.