To quote @worrydream
"Worrying about sentient AI as the ice caps melt is like standing on the tracks as the train rushes in, worrying about being hit by lightning"
In 20 years or so, if it turns out that all of the dire predictions were significantly overblown, would you at least have the courtesy to blush in embarrassment for the current alarmism?
And perhaps better computing is why the polar ice caps are only shrinking this fast and not faster. We normally see 30-40 MPG in cars, and that is due to a lot of things, but the one big thing is electronic engine control. That is one in a long list of reasons why it's important to at least see how we can make these things work better.