The reason this moment is so painful is because of what's required.
Our development thus far has been exploitative - with impacts that are typically both beneficial and destructive. We exploit market opportunities, resources of raw material, labor, and capital, and we exploit asymmetries of power. In transactions with unsophisticated trading partners, powerful individuals and corporations craft terms that favor themselves - with predictable results: a social structure that both protects and exercises power for the architects.
That ends. Environmental and political limits are becoming apparent. Environmentally, we face peak oil, depleting forests, and the uncertain consequences of climate change. Politically, governments are becoming less able to respond to their citizens' concerns as complicated problems are compounded by institutional constraints - and voters who are compelled by consumerism, nationalism, religion, and propaganda. In a technological era with consolidating wealth and weapons of mass destruction, the "consent of the governed" could be withdrawn violently if current trends continue.
Exploitation ends. That's what is required, and we're still figuring this much out. Yes, many people understand that climate change and political corruption are severe problems, but most people are not thinking about transitioning to become a non-exploitative society, and those of us that are interested have difficulty visualizing what sort of change to work towards. What would that even look like? How can the western world, with advantages of education, power, and resources, relate to the developing world in a manner that is not exploitative? How can we utilize natural resources without depleting the planet's natural capital?
I don't have answers to these questions right now, but my hope in writing here is to participate in that discussion and help to develop and spread constructive ideas.