So many years later and I'm still waiting on solutions to "global warming" from "political leaders" that doesn't involve money as the "solution". I trust science. I do not trust "scientists" paid by governments to show favorable results on the side of money redistribution to the governments for the cause.
As much as I hate to admit it, CAFE worked. Light duty, full size pickups a decade ago would never dream of hitting 20 mpg (unless diesel). Today, most of them are 20+ highway. Most new cars are 30+ mpg. Baby diesels are starting to show up as options in pickups and turbocharged, smaller displacement engines are becoming the norm. That said, this progress is also driven by customers because of the $4/gallon scare ~2009. People know it's going to happen again, it's just a matter of when.
EPA putting incandescent bulb manufacturers out of business created a drive for CFL and LED lights which has reduced residential lighting power consumption.
Energy Star program has lead to the development of more power efficient furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, and other appliances. 80plus (private, not government) has done the same for electronic power supplies.
On the power generation side of things, the wind subsidy programs have lead to power companies investing heavily in wind turbine installations around here. I think my power company has actually added all of their new capacity in the last decade in the form of wind. That said, the low cost of natural gas has mostly driven to the transition to a cleaner grid.
Even though USA keeps growing. Energy demand has remained steady or fallen. Sadly, it's not enough in terms of global surface temperatures but it's still baby steps towards a more eco-friendly economy.
I still think
Freeman Dyson's path is the best the USA is going to manage (and did, as described above).
Phew! I'm so glad that doing this keeps the world from warming!!!
