For a non-trivial number of people, having power/status over others is what they like.

For a non-trivial number of people, they don't care what happens to others, as long as their tribe benefits.

As long as these two issues are not addressed, very little meaningful progress is possible.

> Looking at the emotionally stunted, empathy vacuums that control either policy or purse strings, I think it'll take a catastrophe to change course.

A catastrophe won't solve anything because you'll get the same people who love power over others in power and people who don't mind fucking over others right below them, which is where humanity has always been.