It’s no secret that environmentalism is fast going mainstream. But the reasons are worth pointing out again: Many people have no choice as they pinch pennies in the current recession/inflation age, and the planet is sometimes the beneficiary. Others who perhaps never leaned green and are flush with cash nonetheless see the national security benefits of reducing dependence on foreign oil.

The evidence can be seen in several ways the new energy crisis is changing American life, often with good side effects for the planet and the nation, at least in the long run: People are driving less, driving slower and shopping smarter (which means consuming less of stuff that’s often produced or shipped inefficiently or imported unnecessarily).

Three new developments this week suggest a broadening of the trends:

1. In Korea shoppers of appliances and electronics are asking about energy use. American shoppers will wake to this soon, too. Americans spend about $1 billion a year, by one estimate, on “vampire electricity,” powering devices even when they’re off; you’ve seen the orange “I’m ready to go” lights on stereo equipment, etc. (how you can save a buck).

The dawning awareness will have a trickle-up effect as smart manufactures ramp up investment and development of products that use less energy. The shift in computer displays from conventional cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) to light emitting diode (LED) displays is one example already well underway, but now there’s incentive to build more energy efficient appliances, from clothes dryers to toasters.

2. Another interesting and long-awaited development, or at least rumor of it: The Toyota Prius will get an optional and not overly useful solar panel, because the car company thinks consumers demand even token efforts at solar as part of the overall package to wean ourselves from oil. One small step toward the 100 mpg car that’s going to sell like gangbusters soon as some car company makes the not-so-difficult leap.

3. Some politicians continue to push for smart, futuristic thinking where the White House won’t: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this week the city will spend $2.3 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions from municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent in 30 years. “The city is doing its part, I hope the private sector follows our example and finds conservation savings of their own,” Bloomberg said. Interesting he had no advice for the federal government.

Meantime, the U.S. and global leaders vowed this week to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050 in one of the most empty promises ever to come out of the political arena. The G8 meeting would have been better spent deciding to don eight Jimmy Carter sweaters this winter.

Point being: For now, natural economic pressures and personal decisions rooted in strong morals and economic necessity are the primary drivers of change in how we manage the planet’s resources.

Gotta toss this in: Time Magazine’s Joe Klein wrote an obvious yet illuminating piece on air conditioners, and how stupidly obsessed we’ve become with them. He bemoans those who cool homes and businesses to 75 and lower, especially on delightful spring days. I’m with him on this. We keep our AZ home at around 83 on summer days — not to save the world but because it’s quite pleasant. Not everyone has the same taste for warmth, but it’s insane that on a 110-degree day the movie theaters, restaurants and stores are so chilled I need a sweater.