I have considered those other arguments, and they, along with national security, make a convincing case to reduce energy expenditures even if global warming and resource depletion are both red herrings. But this debate isn't about energy budgets, its about ideological posturing and cultural preferences. And it's not about saving money, it's about making money. A low energy impact society not only threatens an established economic and industrial strategy and those who support it, but it calls into question every manifestation and policy of that ideology.

Consider the justifications and arguments of those who oppose drastic economic measures to protect the environment. They not only attack the scientific conclusions and policy proposals of the greens, which would be understandable (and perhaps even correct!). They also accuse their opponents of political and economic motives which incite them to implement these conservation measures and are the primary reason behind them. Rightly or wrongly, the anti-green forces represent industrial and economic organizations which are threatened by changes in our industrial strategy. They assume their enemies are not just mistaken, they have to see them as special interests too, with a huge stake (financial, political, ideological?) in implementing curbs on industry. The scientists are careerists, the politicians are leftists, the citizenry are dupes, the press is power mad and serving their own agenda, their opponenents are not just wrong, they are evil, and of course, conspirators and communists. Maybe I'm unsophisticated, but since I don't perceive the environmentalists as being dominated by multi-billion dollar industrial combines determined to maintain their position, I tend to be more inclined to take their word for it.

Besides, I grew up in the late 50s, early 60s, and I have heard these same arguments before,
used in other attempts to obstruct emerging and long overdue social movements. This battle isn't about global warming or energy policy. It goes back a lot further than that; all the way back to the 4th century in Greece. It's about the oligarchy and the rabble and who will get to dominate democracy.