"I wonder if human consciousness and human flexibility can confront the extensive reasons for pessimism in these moments. If we do, and if we can, I wonder if the powerful can find a way, still, to save themselves or ourselves? If not, we will have to depend on the powerless. Wouldn't that be interesting?"

Oh good. More pseudo-intellectual armchair angst. 

The most important thing we can do for our world is to raise our children very very well (helping them to grow a lively faith and a large set of human virtues), and to do great good within 40 feet around where we move every day, smiling, working, serving, making everything around us just a bit better.