>Even as somebody who is genuinely concerned and willing to accept responsibility, there seems to be nothing of worth that I can actually do to help.

One of the issues she mentions is overfishing. You can vote with your dollars and take care with what you buy, and contribute to non-profit funds working to secure wildlife preservations, many found at the link below. Don't stop to make a change in your own life because everyone else isn't doing it.

http://marinebio.org/oceans/conservation/organizations_issue...