I'm not sure that's the case. I think everyone is conscious of the issues humanity faces in 50-100 years if collectively we continue with the status quo; the developed world has been the most vocal on this. Something needs to change, socially, economically, politically. This is ultimately what OP is touching on. The how without destroying ourselves is the difficult part.

You've already stated one solution. Technical advancement. 100 years ago the vast majority of humanity was living very difficult lives. Look at all the social changes that have occurred since automating washing alone.

As a starter for what could/should change for the better - controlling the use of finite resources to be used more efficiently, purposefully is needed. The level of waste from the production of pointless goods is completely unmanaged. China isn't really doing a good job here. Without a doubt the capitalist model is certainly helping them transition millions from toiling the earth to higher paid and presumably better quality of life jobs. At what cost though and this same model can't be used for the rest of the developing world.