"Since this time the changing conditions are the result of our habits and activities, I’m beginning to think that it is of surpassing importance to focus on modifying these habits and activities."
I agree with your suggested priorities and also agree with the person who responded saying that environmental policies are unlikely to change without a social revolution.
Is this revolution inevitable? How might it come about?
1. Can capitalism accomodate itself to a finite-interdependent nature model? No apparent reason why it could not. Let the losses be social and the grains be private as always. Let the grunts pay for the development of new energy sources and infrastructure...and all will be well. You CAN make money out of anything. Dams, windmills, pet rocks. Capitalism doesn't have to destroy the earth. It only has to exploit labor. Perhaps, if it ceases to believe its own lies long enough, it will figure out a way to do this. The oil-garchy is looking pretty atavistic these days.
2. An environmental crisis may put the whole identity politics thing in perspective. (Thank God!) We may grow tired of peering up our panties when our fate as viable human beings is at stake.
3. A socialist (or even populist) ascetic reaction that rejects consumption may emerge and dissolve the old order from within. No consumers: no capitalism.
... thinking out loud. Just returned from "family camp" -- a kind of playground in the mountains for University of California alumni & their kiddies. All fairly liberal, outdoorsy family types. I'd say a good 70% of the cars in the parking lot were BIG SUV's: Voyagers, Explorers, Range Rovers, Blade Runners....ooops! Sorry about that. I wonder how hot it has to get before anyone gets it?
Joanna