Set realistic goals and expectations about what we can do as a society to combat climate

That's what they're doing.

Being realistic, we need massive changes to avoid everything from going to shit. For decades the free market has failed to solve the problem, we need more than just thoughts and prayers.

We need to end fossil fuel subsidies and instead give that money towards renewable. And we need to do it yesterday.

without trying to scare the average Joe into thinking that the gas-fueled car they drive to work in is going to cause the world to spontaneously combust

This is a strawman.