re: I think the people involved genuinely believe
Unfortunately, you're right. In fact, most activists fall into that category. But that doesn't make what they believe true, and it isn't helping an energy situation that will get critical in the next few decades without either a miracle (fusion?) or nuclear power.
You are not going to bring a planet of six billion people up to Western living standards using windmills and solar panels.
And a planet of six billion people isn't going to settle for one section living in comfort while the rest of them slog away in fields doing hand labor and accumulating CO2 credits for the rich.