Things are going to keep getting worse. Exponentially growing populations will only lead to overcrowding in urban areas and an even faster drain on our already dwindling natural resources. Tensions will grow to a head, since the most valuable natural commodity (fossil fuels) is only conveniently available in bulk in areas that are already experiencing constant militarized conflict. The end result will be some global conflict-- probably not a WW3 (at least that's what I'm hoping, my country will draft me if that happens), but the conclusion of this conflict will undoubtedly be massive. The reason these conflicts won't be prevented is modern technology in first world countries is primarily based around providing easier lives for those who can afford the technology, and modern social circles have devolved into token social media interactions and flavor-of-the-month style issues that most people will stop caring about in a week. Basically, the countries with any power to make a real change won't make that change because their populations have already decided, as a majority, that such changes aren't worth it, while the counties that need that change most will very likely be destroyed and overlooked due to their weaknesses. The minority in the first world is the individual that seeks change, but they too will be consumed by the corporate machine that now dominates the world.
