I wouldn't be so quick to judge the energy lost by using JSON over some binary format as "waste". Standardization on JSON has saved countless developer hours by being so easy to read, write, implement, and debug* . This translates directly and indirectly into economic benefits for everyone. Similarly, I would have taken much longer to start learning HTTP if it was not inspectable with near-zero friction. People "waste" electricity for a reason.

* Is it perfect? No. Is any protocol? No. Would a binary format be better? Very likely, no.