Yes, the real sustainability problem is multifaceted and far more profound than the focus on fossil fuel induced climate change. But for me the currently near s

Yes, the real sustainability problem is multifaceted and far more profound than the focus on fossil fuel induced climate change. But for me the currently near single-minded focus on the latter subset has some redeeming virtues: i) it is an intrinsically global problem. Local emissions diffuse in the atmosphere and become everyone's problem - this pushes for a change in collective mindsets. This is not unlike the viral spread of the recent pandemic, you can't tackle global risks with defunct supra-national mechanisms. ii) it is a reasonably quantifiable problem (it aligns easier with the prevalent financialization culture and toolkit - this opens up possibilities for immediate "solutions" like building sustainability reporting standards, carbon taxes etc.). Biodiversity and broader ecological health, let alone social/cultural issues are more subtle and subject to challenge. In other words, as we reluctantly start tackling the unsustainable energy system, we might learn tricks and behaviors that will hopefully be useful more broadly. It is a sort of piecemeal, divide and conquer approach rather than pulling the plug and jumping into the unknown. In the fullness of time it may not work but it makes sense to give it a try. There is much to like about "modernity" it would be a pity if something happened to it. Being able to travel around and enjoy the wonders of planet and cultures is immensely enriching. Let's hope that there is enough collective intelligence around to transition into a sustainable mode that preserves the good bits.