How optimistic. I would note that it has become a common feature to see the scientific predictions revised again and again in regards to the time-frame--they become shorter and shorter. It is too the point that one wonders if there is an organization that is a Consortium of Frequently Shocked and Amazed Climate Scientists. So, I can even feel skeptical about this, "not in my lifetime" form of optimism. That's not for certain and acceleration is in the loop.
I think time it has already run out and there are so many factors involved, all of them revolving around our modern, Koyaanisqatsi way of life and the certainty that it will persist and even continue to grow, despite the obvious results of that. It seems that only when the crises themselves interfere with those trends will there be a change, but, again, it is too late.
We might, at least, be able to mitigate the problem to some degree so that, if the biosphere is not wiped out or rendered largely uninhabitable, we could do whatever we to not increase the incredibly long, (hundreds, thousands of years or longer) recovery period for whom might survive it. My pessimism does not indicate or promote discontinuing any efforts to confront the problems, but we have two issues now and limited resources and will for both.
We seem to be at the point where the Titanic is sinking and the question of lifeboats now comes up. What can we do to deal with the drastic and dramatic effects? This is not going to be a pleasant ride and so, the window of opportunity to abate or prevent the collapse of the environment is now shut and we are left with another potential failure, and that is to hunker down for the catastrophes and address the hosts of issues that will result from them.
To me, it is going to be increasingly about damage control and acting on the requisites of survival in an onslaught of impending environmental chaos. It is already knocking loudly at the door. Will the necessary measures required also become another missed opportunity? It may not be comfortable to think that way, but the indications are pointing to drastic, sweeping measures to cope with the results and limit the damage and suffering to come. It will also be very costly, but if anybody is around to look back on that, the focus on cost will just be seen as misappropriation of resources in a dire emergency. How could anything else take precedence to such a high priority? Well, we seem to be darn good at missing the point in the name of profit and other motivations.
Our track record with creating this mess may be similar to the abysmal lack of action and awareness of what got us here: too little, too late.
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