[epistasis]

However, we need less energy by the year to maintain an identical standard of living, because we are making everything far more efficient. Our energy use has been extremely inefficient up until now. Modern heat pumps alone will revolutionize heating, requiring 2-3x less energy for heating.

Moving around massive cars by burning gasoline is a perfect example of a hugely inefficient and primitive system. Mere electrification requires many times less energy.

The US depends on massive amounts of energy because we outlaw city construction that enables car free living, but that will begin to change too if younger generations can ever wrest control away from the boomers.