The way I see it, human society is a statistical-mechanical system and we’re sources of noise.

So, if society is close to a bifurcation point or you personally are really loud (in case Xi Jinping is reading), then yes. Otherwise no.

Edit: I should specify that even if you can’t save everyone you can probably save a few people. The question I’m trying to figure out for myself is how big a bifurcation point to target.

We can always throw a Molotov or two.

That depends on how you mean that. If you mean it as “can one person fix this problem, like in some Hollywood movie?”, then, the answer is “probably not”. If the richest person in the world, who I will not name it of fear of unintentionally summoning them, were to start taking meaningful action today, we’d probably be reading an obituary by Monday.

But for the first question? No, we’re absolutely not helpless. We as isolated individuals may not have a statistically favorable chance at fixing things. United as communities resisting possible suffering and extinction, we have a much better chance.

And as an individual, you can help. Humans are generally social creatures. The problems and their perpetuation are, at their root, caused by antisocial behavior. Showing others kindness and compassionately building relationships with those around you is one of the most significant ways that one can rebel and undermine efforts to keep us weak, divided, and incapable of changing things.