But I wish we could find that passion inside of ourselves without the threat of impending doom.

With 50 years, the economic "upset" would be very minimial.

Make it a threat that is only 10 years out and you start to run into some serious questions of social, political, and economic upheaval: There would be those who claim it is a lie, conspiracy, etc...Those who say its god's will let it happen...Those who accept it as reality, but seek to profit from it, even at the detriment of finding a workable solution (Think Game Theory--People fighting over the "correct" solution often can not develop a reasonable or workable solution at all). Some would call for martial law and other sweeping government powers to overcome the naysayers and profiteers...Politicians would use every Machiavellian trick in the book to use the opportunity for a power grab and to seal their place in history.

The shorter the time frame, the bigger the socio-economic and political mess.