So we are both in agreement that focusing on extremists isn't helpful.
As to specific steps, you could look at what European countries are actually doing. You seem to be mis-informed, the EU is moving forwards quite rapidly on these issues. For example, the EU noticed that consumers have been suckered in to thinking that moar power = better when buying vacuum cleaners, when actually the best ones are fairly low power and efficient. To fix that they introduced limits on wattage and a rating system where they independently test every model and put the results on the box. Similar measures will be introduced for other appliances, and limits will be tightened to keep manufacturers improving things.
You may think that more efficient vacuum cleaners isn't a big deal, but it really is when you look at the amount of energy they use.
Germany is leading all other countries by re-building its grid and moving to renewable energy on a very large scale. There is a lot of FUD about high prices (they are not the highest in the EU, and unlike other countries that just give that money to shareholders at least Germany is investing it in improving their infrastructure and making electricity into a public utility again) and outright lies about massive increases in coal use. The real end result is going to be very significant and beneficial to Germans though, and keep in mind that they are only about 1/3rd the way through their plan (end date is around 2023).
Also note that quality of life in Germany is going up at the same time. Better houses that cost less to run, less reliance on imported gas and Russia, lots of new jobs and opportunities in the renewables industry, less pollution. In the end their energy will be cheaper too. German industry is still a powerhouse as well, with more exports than China.