This is actually one of the reasons. The focus on what was referred to under Paul VI and JPII as "systemic sin" or, in other words, some collective act committed usually by a government, completely confused people.
First of all, there's nothing most of us can do about it, since it is not something we have done personally and usually haven't even voted for or had anything to do with the person who is actually doing it (assuming there is one).
I hope this is just Reuters finding the most left-wing person they can and making it sound as if his word is the defining one.
I don't think there's anything wrong with reasonable energy conservation policies - it makes good sense from the point of view of one's personal budget, and it is usually not hard to do. But making it sound as if using a higher-watt bulb is sinful is something that simply invites ridicule and makes people shrug off the whole concept of sin.
Penitent: Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It's been --- years--- since my last confession.
Confessor: Why so long?
P: Well, I don't feel like I've been committing, y'know, sins. I mean, nobody's perfect, I'm only human after all, but I do pretty good, I make an effort, and ...
C: (deep sigh) -- So, why are you in Confession NOW?
P: Because I feel guilty about ... bad stuff.
C: Like?
P: Like, global warming the shrinking of the ozone layer, the extinction of the purple-banded snail darter, the Whole World Situation...
C: (another sigh) How many times?
....
C: And for your penance, say...
P: Please don't give me rote prayers, Father. I don't know any rote prayers.
C: The Our Father? The Glory Be?
P: Well, here's one. I know the Angelus.
C: Good. For your penance, say the Angelus.
P: Bon-n-n-g ---- Bon-n-n-n-g-g-g-g---- Bonnnnn-n-n-g-g-g...
Synthetic Sin is more like it.
That is my thought too. Although I have to admit that when I heard this on Fox News this morning I thought, “Oh, I just left the Episcopal Church because of this left-wing bilge and it has followed me!”