Environmental problems won’t be solved by conservation, it’ll be solved by the next generation of engineers.
There will still be a next generation if Millenials and post-Millenials in developed economies decide to not have children due to environmental concerns, just like there was a next generation after the baby boomer women took to their careers with as much dedication as men.
There will be a next generation. End of story. But its superstar engineers won't be white.