That is a very lovely way to say it. Amazing argument I'm gonna use it  

My usual argument is: We build a lot of empty houses building just to store value, this speculation on houses partially is responsible to make them expansive for regular people. Building houses also waste a lot of energy, terrain and resource. We also waste time because we all need to be investor, we cannot just keep the money we are forced to gamble in the stock market etc.

Bitcoin energy consumption compared to that is a bargain.

It's really nice that you are thinking about the power bitcoin is consuming because that means that you also care for the environment and not just money and profit all alone. Regarding the analogy you just gave, I think it is somehow related and connected with each other. Bitcoin consumes power on a daily basis may it be in mining or what, it is consuming energy that is mostly non-renewable to make it function and continuously develop and grow. It is essential for bitcoin to consume power like in mining, otherwise, no bitcoin would be mined if they would stop the operations. Hence, the consuming process of energy is not put to waste. The same goes for the fire brigade which aims to wipe out fire into those areas that need help. It's just that they also consume a lot of water in the process of rescuing, but the water is not just sprayed and drizzled for nothing. It is done for a purpose the same way with bitcoin.

You can as well find this interesting:

The bitcoin mining network, energy and carbon impact

It is about how bitcoin mining contributes only 0.08% to global CO₂ production in 2021.

It's not about the power consumption, it's more about how the people choose to power their mining equipments, some of them might decide to use renewable sources of energy while the others might go for normal electrical energy coming from the government which would again be focused on the fact regarding how the particular government produces that energy as well. In some countries they have green energy supplied directly to the homes so a person can use mining softwares without any probelms. In some places people have immense potential to switch to any renewable source depending upon where they live so it's more of a lifestyle choice which is quite everywhere.

Depends...

If you don't believe in bitcoin, you'd think it is a waste of electricity. Otherwise, you wouldn't think that. Either way, Bitcoin consumes as much electricity as a small country If I am not wrong and even though it sounds like a non-issue now, It will probably draw attention when the network gets even bigger. Energy is a hot topic lately too. Now the oil prices are climbing, some people will definitely use this as an excuse to fight crypto.

True, I personally feel also that because of the love we have for bitcoin, OP is being a little biased just as many others are, in recognising the power consumption concerns bitcoin mining is giving the energy professionals. If you like something, it is common practice to not want to see anything wrong or evil with it, you may even go out of your way to defend it when someone points out a flaw to it. This is not a proper approach, the proper approach should be looking for a way to resolve the energy concerns maybe by sourcing for an alternative and an independent source of power.