We recycle a great deal, have done what we can afford so far to make our home energy efficient, like new windows and insulation. A new thermostat was installed that allows us to have settings for different times of the day for more efficient use. We are cutting back on our "stuff" stored away in closets, garage, or basements and are donating so it can be reused in most cases. This is still a work in progress. We have owned the same used vehicles for years and keep them well maintained.
We would like to upgrade the electric and water heater to tankless and eventually look to solar panels as well. Right now we are very dependent on the power grid without an alternative energy source. That said, I am one of those people that could get my family through without power if it came to that.
I am a firm believer in alternative energy. Especially solar and wind. However, it needs to be done smartly. Governments need to start selling it differently to people. Instead of saving the environment, they need to start talking about the cost savings and making the grants and other funded schemes more available and known to common people.
I like your thinking in the last paragraph...they put the emphasis on the environment and that's fine, but people are hurting financially and reducing costs is something that would be well received. Incomes not keeping up with inflation and the high cost of utilities here is really hurting people and I think that causes many to not give a shit about the environment as someone else pointed out in the comments.
Our utilities are constantly going up here as well. The infrastructure is aging and not able to keep up in many places. It is a bad deal all around. The administrations new infrastructure plan is supposed to help upgrade alot of that along with bring in clean energy alternatives, but WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW? They have done a terrible job of communicating how it will benefit the guy at the kitchen table and how we can take advantage of it.
It's bonkers to think a country like America has ailing power grid infrastructure but I guess it's one of things that's out of sight and mind to some degree and so doesn't get the budget or attention it needs. On a smaller scale, people don't maintain their houses as well as they should, so a similar situation. Hopefully it's rectified. To think the grid struggles to supply Americans with power...Crazy.