Don't despair. There is so much you can still do that will have a big impact and does not cost a lot of $$$ and might even save you $$$. Just get an energy audit for your house to identify inefficiencies and take care of those. Put up better-insulating curtains in the winter and open and shut window coverings to let sun in or to insulate through the day. Seal gaps under doors. Switch to heating single rooms rather than the whole house at night. Use a programmable thermostat. Get a down blanket. Air-dry much of the laundry. Turn off lights. Use compact fluorescents. Drive cars that get good mileage. Look into an auxiliary solar water heater. Look for energy efficient appliances. Look for a tankless water heater system. Retire your CRTs and get LCDs.

The lesson is that the environmental movement isn't going to get anywhere if the message is, "Suck it up and sacrifice for the good of the planet, people!" People have to be convinced on the basis of their OWN interests.