thrown for a loop

when i am talking with freinds, or people at work, or my family i feel generally encouraged by the state of things in the world. it's by no means becoming utopic: people are starving, hiv/aids is becoming a pandemic, global warming is off and running, houses are being built left & right, species are dying. but overall, i often feel that there is a general swelling of conciousness. people on a large scale seem to becoming more and more aware of the issues and are becoming more willing to help create change. and i like to think people are becoming more informed. but then, things come out of nowhere and hit me upside the head, and make me pause for a moment (or make me think about it for over a week) ...and make me think "now, what really, is the world comming to. did i just hear right?"

here is an example from my personal life. the setting: me, talking with a good friend, who considers herself informed and works in the media, and her friend from europe.

me: or we could walk there, though it's a bit long.
her: let's just drive, it's so cold out.
me (sarcastically): yeah, so much for global warming.
her: that's just a theory.
me, european: *silence.*
european: yeah, the americans won't even join kyoto.
me: please don't hold that agaisnt us personally. it's the govt and who they are representing...like energy companies.
her: what's kyoto?
me, european: *second silence.*
european: an international agreement to lower emissions.
her: hmm, nope, never heard of it.
me: *more embarassed/livid silence.*

ok, so we did go ahead and explain it a little further to her. but, it just through me for a loop. how can i expect a huge sell of change for the better when even my own freinds, who consider themselves informed haven't heard and are skeptical of issues that are very well covered and documented. how can i bring more knowledge to the table. here's a great site on grist that provides all kinds of information reagarding climate change. and how to discuss the issues: http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics