Of course "awareness" is merely a necessary - and radically insufficient - condition. But a lot CAN be done, and it matters a great deal how MUCH, and how SOON we do them. The typical narrative of "we're completely screwed no matter what [so it doesn't matter what we do]" is both inaccurate and extremely harmful in that it impedes progress.

Acid rain and the ozone layer are a couple relevant examples of real success in global environmental challenges. Climate change is bigger and harder and more complex, but it's NOT "all or nothing". And there is room for -- even urgent need for -- rational optimism, which in turn motivates change of which we are capable.

In another generation another crisis will exist. You will be blamed. It could be: Birth control, water bottles, owning pets, speaking against robot/human relationships, speaking against kids being raised by the government (to give everyone an equal playing field and to narrow the gender pay gap), speaking out against sharia law.

Good luck and don't forget to ignore it all.

Honestly the best thing is ignore everything, and live your own life peacefully.

It would only be catastrophic, not existential. We should work hard to reduce the risks and mitigate the impacts, but the species will go on even if we ignore it.

And, almost everything is getting better faster than anyone predicted. There's a strong case for climate optimism, and a future that we can improve by continuing to take action and put in the hard work of fixing the world.

The cold war was more serious and things worked out unexpectedly. World War I and II were more serious and they ended different than how everyone thought.

Landfills filling up was the concern now it's used for power generation. ACID rain.. holes Ozone layer. We fixed them.

Carbon in the air will be used to generate food as we find new ways to 3d print food. You will see. Our future problem will be not enough carbon