@Dan: Here's a way of thinking you may find helpful.
Imagine playing a computer role-playing game. Some evil element has taken over the land, and it's your job to go on a quest to set things right. Is the evil your fault? No. But it's still your responsibility because if you do nothing, you have to live with it. It doesn't matter if it's fair or not. It just is. Blame the programmers if you want. Blame yourself for entering the game world. But then it's best to accept the quest and see where it leads.
In a game it can be fun to go up against evil, whether you win or lose. Why not in real life too? You do the best you can, you grow and learn from it, and you make a difference along the way.
All of the physical stuff you experience is temporary anyway. We're all dead in the long run. If any part of us lives on, it won't be our bodies or this planet.
You see -- the real point isn't to save the planet. The planet's a goner for sure, given enough time. The point is to grow into the kind of person who maybe can save the planet, and enjoy the challenge along the way. That benefits the planet here and now, but it also changes you, and there's the possibility you may retain that growth in non-physical form.
Life is a lot less scary once you really, really accept the idea that everything physical is temporary. It's demise is inevitable. So if everything physical is doomed, you're free to work on the non-physical while you're here in physical form. Ironically, that outlook makes live a lot more fun and exciting. You can tackle the big problems freely, knowing that the real point is simply to do your best to solve them and challenge yourself to the limits. It's easier to solve a problem when you aren't afraid of failing.
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