This is true - science is just a tool, it needs force and direction. This is the job of governments, so you are right that science is just one part of the solution. In my mind it is a given that you need strong government support to make changes, so this was not the differences I wanted to focus on. The German Energiewende showed that it can be done, we basically bankrolled the creation of a global solar panel industry.

I wanted to put this in contrast to the "stop growth and consume less" mindset, which I believe will be massively insufficient in solving climate change. When we switch to alternative means of energy, at least in the beginning they will be more expensive than fossil, and you need to be able to afford this. Asia must be able to afford this! And they will not give up cars and go back to riding bicycles, this is a pipe dream.