We won't see/can't see the bigger picture

Many people, including academics and scientists, believe that our way of life, based on the need for economic growth, can't continue as it is. The worst scenario is that unless things change we face catstrophe.
Why is it then that we don't seem to be changing direction?  Some people get even richer while  others get poorer, shortages of resources lead to wars and mass migration.  Our environment is destroyed. Climate change is the elephant in the room and hardly talked about.
Looking at climate change - which many think is the gravest threat we face - the Centre for Alternativc Technology's  report 'Zero Carbon Britain' (which a friend alerted me to, thanks Jon) came up with lots of reasons why we don't talk about it but just keep steaming ahead:

• Personal circumstances and national events push climate concerns to one side
• If we begin to think about it we notice that others don't seem concerned so we keep quiet
• Lack of media coverage- journalists' attention is elsewhere because scientific and environmental stories aren't seen as newsworthy
• Social issues go through a cycle of interest followed by increasing bordeom

Very interesting, but my recent reading and pondering about these things, leads me to see there is more to it than that.  Thinking about it is not a very pleasant experience.  I know to my cost that it can be seriously overwhelming,  painful and lonely.  It can lead to sleepless nights. Any writing which addresses the subject should carry a 'this might damage your health' warning.
I've not waded through the entire report - it is 286 pages! - but I next need to see just what is said about the power of media billionaires to direct our attention away from these matters.  After all, keeping the status quo suits them very nicely doesn't it?