I'm also in the 'denial' stage(1). Cars are quickly electrifying, CO2 consumption per capita is dropping. I'm also totally convinced we can find more extreme solutions (solar reflection, nuclear powered co2 absorption, etc, ) if we get really desperate
(1) I don't deny the potential impacts of climate change and the need for something to be done, rather, I'm in denial that there will be a catastrophe (and very selfishly I acknowledge that it will be a catastrophe for others).
Total CO2 emissions are only increasing however, and the rate of increase is increasing too.
The problem is that CO2 emissions values are largely estimated and modeled. So there are model precision issues, and political bias issues of the model author (include some factor, exclude, give different weight etc.). On the other hand actual CO2 level in the atmosphere can be measured directly and can't be fudged in any way. It's a cold uncaring fact which we can't appease or talk to persuade.
When I check per capita for the US(1) and countries in Europe(2) you can see it is droping rapidly. Yes increases in overall gdp is causing overall increases in co2 but we have grounds for optimism.
I really do want to emphasize that we need to do something about the situation. But, my view is more of being in a house with hundreds of dirty dishes with more piling up by the minute. Yes if we did nothing about it the house would fill with rot and insects and we will all die. But, much is already being done and my suspicion/delusion is the amount of effort will only increase as the problem gets worse.
(1) I don't deny the potential impacts of climate change and the need for something to be done, rather, I'm in denial that there will be a catastrophe (and very selfishly I acknowledge that it will be a catastrophe for others).