As an abstract idea I think there is a reasonable argument to be made that the size of any contribution to a problem should be measured as a relative proportion of total influence.
The carbon footprint is a good example, if each individual focuses on reducing their small individual contribution then they could neglect systemic changes that would reduce everyone's contribution to a greater extent.
Any scientist working on a method to remove a problem shouldn't abstain from contributing to the problem while they work.
Or to put it as a catchy phrase. Someone working on a cleaner light source shouldn't have to work in the dark.
Right, I think you have responsibility for your 1/<global population>th (arguably considerably more though, for first-worlders) of the problem. What I see is something like refusal to consider swapping out a two-stroke-engine-powered tungsten lightbulb with an LED of equivalent brightness, CRI, and color temperature, because it won't unilaterally solve the problem.
But yeah lots of people don't really buy into the idea of their small contribution to a large problem being a problem.