Historically energy usage has been used to track "human progress" (e.g. a society that is more advanced uses more energy), but I think this is a failed dichotomy as it doesn't account for technology become more efficient at using energy. If we don't price petrol/gas properly (in the face of externalities, energy security, and possibly limited supply), there's no incentive for academia and industry to think ourselves out of a gas-guzzling society.