The scenarios for doom are there and, sadly, are far too real and plausible.  

"Governments" tend to be very good at 'muddling through', seeking a lowest common denominator.

The question, at the core, is whether we can 'muddle through' the challenges of the coming decades to generate a meaningfully, decent, sustainable life for humanity (and, well, enough other species).

To be blunt, as with Jerome, looking in the eyes of one's young children does not allow a blase throwing up of the hands to consider extinction within a generation as an acceptable alternative ... a 1000 generations can be intellectually considered, a generation for utter collapse is terrifyingly painful to consider. (Thus, as with Jerome, efforts re Global Warming, Peak Oil, Water challenges.)

Blogging regularly at Get Energy Smart. NOW!!!