Assuming of course, one has at their immediate disposal the means to do so. And if one doesn't, then one can at least do something else to nudge the paradigm in the desired direction.

I don't think we are disagreeing with one another, Riginslinger. But I am very tired of listening to people moan and groan (myself included at times), and point fingers at the politicans and the corporations without a single look at ourselves and all the big and small ways we contribute to the problems. Unless we are willing to do that, we will not take personal ownership for solving our personal piece of the problems.

If we think that we must start with reducing world population, (and I am simply using this as an example)which is beyond the power of most of us individually, the tendency is to sit on our hands, blame 'them' and do nothing.

The only thing I know absolutely I have the power to change is myself. I am a component in these vast and complex social systems. If I change, the system(s) change. If I examine my own choices about my thermostat setting, where and how far I drive, where I shop, what I buy, I am likely to change at least some of those choices. If I am willing to examine my assumptions about necessity vs. convenience, if I am willing to take a long hard look at what I tend to believe I am entitled to, (whether or not I actually have those 'entitlements'), then I am likely to change some of my assumptions and beliefs, and therefore make different choices.

If I do these things, I will truly understand that I am an effective change agent, and that I am never powerless.

Apathy and entropy are the products of perceived powerlessness. People fail to perceive their power from both ignorance AND choice. Our low voter turnouts are testimony to the huge number of people who either do not see or who choose to ignore their personal power(i.e. responsibility.) Major changes in policies never occur ahead of major changes in the thinking and actions of a significant number of the individuals who make up a society or civilization. Changes in those individuals will occur much more quickly when they assume full ownership of their own thoughts and actions in their own lives. If I perceive 'doing my part' as primarily consisting of trying to change what others do, while largely ignoring my own footprint, I may or may not acheive any measure of success at changing the world for 'good'. On the otherhand, even if I never, ever do one thing to try to directly effect change in others, never vote, never make any direct attempt to change public policy or the opinions or actions of my neighbor or my aunt, but I do make changes in my own personal lifestyle choices, I absolutely know that what I do will change the world.