Akula/KP,

Lot's of good info, thank you. Things are rarely black and white in the real world, this debate is no different.

Were all "hypocrites" too some degree. Unless your living off the grid, with solar and wind powering your electrical needs, some resource somewhere is being used/exploited depending on your point of view.
Even some of the so called "green" technology has environmental costs associated with it.
 
 I have no doubt that technology used in a responsible manner can and will provide our energy needs in the future. Akula did a good job pointing that out.

  KP, You pointed out the fly in the ointment. With an army of corporate lawyers looking for loopholes, even the best intended regulations can be circumvented. That's the part that I find most disturbing :(

 We all share this fragile planet. It shouldn't have too come down to a choice between the destruction of the environment vs jobs and energy.
Somewhere there's a balance. Hopefully it can be found?