Originally posted by Rosuav
What's the purpose of environmental conservation?
Sorry, I was not clear enough. I didn't mean environmental conservation. I meant solutions based on reducing the usage of energy.

Let me illustate. In the province of Ontario (Canada) we face summer time electricity shortages and so at that time there are large advertising campaingns by our energy provider asking people to reduce their electricity consumption.

Why is there an shortage?

Yes demand is increased because of the heat, but power generation capability has not increased to keep up with demand.

And at the same time, the price of electricity to the consumer is lower than the cost to generate it due to government involvement.

Now, if demand was to control the price of electricity, the price would rise and alternative (environmentally friendly) energy sources would become more profitable and more available.

Which is why I still believe that a (energy) conservation solution is not viable. We will never be a society that uses zero energy, so lets not try to find a solution to global warming by asking people to cut back on the energy they use. Lets solve it by making alternative energy sources profitable. Eventually they will replace greenhouse gas producing power generation, and then in time the cost of generation will come down.