For the Brits in our audience who may have being wondering if they had ever been swindled by their energy companies, we have some bad news: you were right. An investigation by the Sunday Times has revealed that 6 of Britain's largest energy companies have been regularly quashing competition to raise prices and make huge profits - upwards of £4.5 billion, or roughly $8.8 billion.

Some of the illegal practices the companies are alleged to have engaged in include: charging loyal customers much more than those who switch; supporting costly and time-consuming accreditation for new firms to stifle competition; and raising/lowering tariffs in step within weeks to keep prices in line.

It's hard enough trying to push honest players in the energy sector to pursue more renewable sources. If we are to assume such scams are more widespread (and who's to say they're not), it's no wonder effecting meaningful change has proven so arduous.