Does our real standard of living have to drop for us to radically decrease carbon emissions? It is my understanding that California is 30-40% more efficient than the rest of country in terms of home electricity use. If the rest of the country caught up that would mean significant gains. Then there is the weatherization plan that Obama recently unveiled. Replacing 12 MPG suburbans with 30 MPG hybrid minivans. Teleconferencing rather than business trips. etc. Heating and cooling of McMansions. There is a lots of waste in our society that does NOT really add to our standard of living.