What caused our thinking to shift from using energy to conserving energy?
Big is better! This was the American theme for homes as well as autos as long as I can remember. There was a temporary shift to smaller cars with increased fuel efficiency during the oil embargo of the early 70's, however that was short lived. 
Americans quickly reverted back to their infatuation with big cars & trucks. Europeans and Asians developed smaller, more fuel efficient cars, but they weren't available in the American market. Over the last few decades we built bigger & bigger homes. 
The master bath in many new homes is bigger than my childhood bedroom. 
Big Kitchens: The kitchen and the pantry in many newly built homes could hold enough food to feed a family of four for six months without going to the grocery store except for staples. Until the recent downturn in the economy many people ate out more than they ate at home. Why did they want the big kitchen?
(This is how my pantry looked just after I remodeled my 1950's kitchen.)
Survey: Today 90% of homeowners state that energy efficiency is important or very important to them in their current home or one they would consider buying in the near future.
Shift to Green: Twenty years of constant warnings about global warming along with rising energy costs are finally starting to get the attention of many Americans. During his vice-presidency & run for president Al Gore withstood a lot of criticism over his interest and commitment to the environment. His award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth has turned more than a few naysayers into believers of global warming. However, many still hold to the Business as Usual mantra. If the consumer wants more and bigger products, we will produce them no matter the cost.
Feature stories in print and television foretell the depletion of natural resources such as oil, natural gas & coal before the end of the 21st century. 
However, the commercials produced by the energy companies would have us believe otherwise. Severve drought in the south and west have caused us to rethink water usuage.
Gradually over time health reports about indoor air quality have led to a demand for improvement not only of our homes, but our work environment. Radon, asbestos, insulation, carpet & paint fumes. 
We often feel that we must walk the tightrope between cost & health.
Our growing awareness is slowly shifting our focus to conservation to conserve our limited natural resources, push for alternate energy sources, protect our planet and our health.
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