How ya been, I think your right. There is no one answer. I think some of the answers lay in new technology and conservation.
There is a lot of waste in todays life. I remember when I was a kid in the 60's and 70's parants would not have every light on, only had one tv. either the stereo of thetv was on. That kind of thing.
I swear I must use 3 times the energy in my house for electricity now. I think my parents do too! The only savings has been in heatig systems which are now in the low 90% vs old stuff @ 50-60%

Fantastic photos by the way. fantastic

bill