We evolved in an environment of conflict and scarcity. Our brains don't know how to handle the idea that we are no longer subject to those kinds of constraints.

We evolved in an environment of conflict and scarcity. Our brains don't know how to handle the idea that we are no longer subject to those kinds of constraints. Of course it's also possible that being perpetually on guard for limits and risks is part of how we avoid them. The catastrophes don't happen because people thought they would and took actions such as investing in next generation energy R&D to try to avoid them. It's probably some of both.