This kind of statement is designed to provoke introspection resulting in a "resolve to do better."

However, vast communities are not individuals. They don't have the capacity to "put two and two together." Whatever consciousness exists at that level can only express the most basic emanations from it's constituents.

The decision not to grow is a very sophisticated one. Even considering the question is something only a subset of individuals is capable of doing. It is akin to facing and accepting death. Taking that on board, can you imagine what kind of amazing culture we'd have to have for this to be expressed at the level of large groups? (segments of society, etc).