[wikitopian]

There is, actually.

The rich can be led to believe that reducing consumption is an elite status symbol, and an opportunity for posturing among their rich friends.

Though rich people will always consume more energy than poor people, there have been promising shifts, such as the rich competing to own the latest efficient electric car instead of competing to own the most fuel inefficient sports car.

[PKop]

"led to believe.."

By whom? And, all of them? How about on the level of nation-states where the true power lies. As national policy, entire nations/empires will be "convinced" as status symbol? No one will see the power on the table that everyone else has left?