Sure, but it's a tough sell to justify it for something people see less important then transportation and foode. Nocoiners don't generally see bitcoin as a net positive or even as a solution to anything. And it's hard to argue back when most of the crypto people seem to want centralization and synthetic bitcoins if it brings us more money. And when that centralization part is being attacked by officials, it immediately affects to bitcoin's price. Even though bitcoin should have nothing to do with it.

And when it comes to question of OP, so far i haven't heard any proof of work that would mean less work/power consumption. The answer is literally in the acronym.