At this point I think politicians simply throw catchphrases at the wall to see what sticks. There are enough people out there who won't look past the surface, so these ideas appeal to them, but not much thought was put in to it.

I'm Canadian. We can't go back to burning wood in order to keep warm. Honestly, the most efficient use of fossil fuels would probably be terraforming. Creating a more hospitable planet. Warm it up. If that means crazier rainstorms, then be glad water falls from the sky instead of pouting about droughts. Yes yes yes I know... unpopular opinion. But the popular opinions I hear coming from governments and their supporters resemble insanity to me. It seems most of the people doing the thinking aren't involved in the actual doing, so their thoughts seem deranged. Like these urban dwelling vegans claiming their way of life is better for the environment, but they've never actually seen what it takes to grow something like organic wheat. Tractors the size of houses pulling massive machines made out of metals, lubricated with petrochemicals. Small yields due to lack of fertilizer and weeds. Then that same land must sit for an entire year with no food growing on it in order to replenish the soil, or it dies and can never be used again, for anything. All they see is the fancy packaging. They didn't see that product being trucked thousands of miles, or any of fuel being poured into those vehicles. I see those things, so of course they sound crazy to me when they say "it's better for the environment." Or people protesting pipelines, because they'd rather see fuel being burned constantly in order to transport fuel? Worried about a spill touching a beaver's paws. No thought about how much fuel is wasted transporting oil over land by vehicle. I'll shut up now.