I do not think we can "conserve" our way out of this one. Assuming that it is anthropomorphic (and the large bulk of research suggests that it is) we can certainly mitigate things and work for long term improvement, but we are not in a position to reverse a century and a half of impact overnight.
As a species, we seem to address crises better through advances in technology rather than any other route. Fission plants, Wind and Solar where practicable, Geothermal and hydro where doable....and we can save all of the lovely petroleum and use it for those huge and decidedly useful carbon molecules rather than burning it.
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