There is never one cause in the complexity of human relations nd societies... But your question certainly gives me food for thought.

I agree with you that protest is only one side of the equation that can trigger necessary changes... Most people are also trying to make relevant lifestyle choices such as consuming less, wasting less, avoid using cars, get involved in permaculture , have an allotment/gorw something in their garden if they have one... Long before XR, I had decided not to have children - tht the world is not fit to bring more life into...

Why bothers me is that such people trying to make changes, constitute such a tiny minority of the population.

Please share your thoughts.