Absolutely Mike.

We have already experienced the harm when the disparities of income, wealth and (because of these) opportunity cross a point where too many see no way forward and attack the structure that delivered our prosperity in the first place. Both Trump and Brexit are results of this. Currently in the U.S. and UK (but not limited to) the attacks have been on intelligent thought, our great history of knowledge, plans of any kind and even simple arithmetic. This is aided and abetted by popular leadership as you say.

Unfortunately I fear an expansion of the haves and have-nots in the world as a whole. The slow speed of Covid vaccines to the bulk of the population is an example. The immediate self interest is foolish and will cost us in the rich world many times over. Lowering our earth's temperature can absolutely be done but in a climate of such deparities it is so much more difficult and time consuming. Similar to Covid -- the more we do now the less it will cost everyone (including wealthy folk) in tragedy and money.

Best to you.