Simple arguments and lack of citations cut both ways... where is your evidence that "reduce, reuse and recycle" initiatives have had a non-negligible effect on fossil fuel consumption? Here's a factor I bet was bigger: US emissions hitting a 20-year-low this year due largely to electricity generation switching from coal to natural gas[1] due to record low prices of abundant natural gas.

[1]http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/us-emissions-idUSB...