The carbon footprint, like the ecological footprint, is an average proxy for wealth. Wealth is political.

How are we to win the hearts and minds of these people by saying we intend to take their solid livelihoods?

Yes, that is a good question. Here’s another:

How are we to win the hearts and minds of these people by lying about their responsibility in the predicament? “Oh, it’s not you, it’s just this small group of billionaires which you admire want to replace!”

You don’t work with the people who want in on the suicidal game. The optimists need to be brought into reality, that’s something to work on. But for the psychos, you work around them, you around against them, not with them.