"Institute" gets it a 99.95% complete BS rating in my book. Somewhat correct, but we are currently at low efficiencies. Efficiencies are increasing.
Proud? Save proud for when you win the race. We have only just now realised the race started without us.
Population control is currently voluntary, but how long will it be before other factors start doing that job for us? Climate change migration is also a form of local population "control", but it has opposite effects on other localities. Climate change related spread of diseases and pandemics are other possibilities that we only barely understand.
Everything we do has limitations. That's what got us here. We now need to determine if the limits are caused by lack of knowledge, resources and money, i.e. mc2, because no society I know of has significantly reduced consumption of E. In fact, pretty much the opposite. And since E consumed is directly proportional to $GDP = k * E * R, R = Resources, k = conversion factor, ts pretty much destined to increase until E, R or k, approach 0.
No capitalist is thinking of voluntarily cutting $GDP. Supply of E, the most prominent climate change related variable, (primarily fossil fuels) has temporarily increased, mostly due to fracking, however it is still very much, if not even more so, limited. Fracked wells have accelerated production decline curves, so we have apparently extended our E supply curve a bit farther into the future, but we have also set it up for a hell of a fast and furious ride to E=0. The forced E-conversion point, when there will be only more limited and mostly less desirable options, currently coal, nuclear, or renewables. So, regardless of climate change, and given current opposition to the others, renewable energy sources will soon be essential one way or another.
It is not only a question of sourcing E.
Sourcing E is a choice that will not remain optional for much longer. It is pretty obvious that, while cheaper alternatives are available, we will take the fast and furious ride to oblivion. Gradually reducing $GDP, by for example a carbon tax, or carbon credit-purchasing scheme, or some other artifical means, potentially has the ability to achieve a smooth transition from the fossil-fueled economy. The only other alternatives currently involve rapid decline of $GDP and the associated total disruption of civilization in the process. If you think you have seen oil wars before, get ready for the mother of them all. Do you think that's alarmist? Do you think the major powers will just stand by and reduce $GDP voluntarily while tolerating "price extortion" from those that have. while it gets hotter and hotter. OK fine, but that has never happened before. I might suggest you do not have an understanding of the full implications of E=0. Why does that never enter the renewables conversation? Is it too far removed to follow that line of reasoning. A good deal of WWII was fought over E required to keep the machine running. Why is this situation different?