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by supermatt 1178 days ago
Its a bit of linguistic pedantry: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/fewer-vs-less
2 comments

Except they didn't even correct correctly. GP said "We need to find ways for people to burn less carbon," which is totally correct. "Carbon" is being used as a mass noun.
I don't know if you are referring about my comment "fewer hydrocarbons", but it was a direct reference to the post I was referring to, "cool way to burn hydrocarbons". I wasn't trying to be pedantic or correcting anybody. Maybe I should have said less, but... I just didn't. The point is simply that higher efficiency doesn't directly equate to more usage; though it can in some cases.
My bad, I misinterpreted the intent behind the emphasis. Sorry :)
That rule only exists for prescriptive wannabe grammarians anyway.