This diary is clearly based on a lot of reading and serious thought, and deserves some kind of response. For now, that would be me.

I agree with your basic premise, which I would state as "the era of capitalism is nearly over, because its continuation is ecologically impossible". Our task is to prepare the way for what can follow, and to minimize the pain and destruction of the transition.

I think about the problem this way-- if we find ourselves way up high on a rickety ladder, first take a step down. Then another, etc, and maybe if luck is with us we'll make it down to a point where a fall won't hurt too much. Then get our feet on solid ground, and consider what to do next.

Things like this:

Petty ecological measures such as environmental preservation, recycling, toxic waste cleanup, etc. serve to mitigate the effects...

are in the category of taking a step down the ladder. They sure don't fix the problem, but at least they're heading in the right direction, and perhaps prepare people to take the next step too.

In closing, thanks for writing this:

Unlike with the Great Depression, the capitalist system will not be able to "grow its way out" of the crises now facing it.

If there is one thing that I would like the good liberals on this site to understand, it would be that simple (if sobering) truth.