It's really not about the denial factor? Honestly I think the reason why people don't get more "emotional" over events that are so far removed from them is due to the fact that it's really just that. It's far removed and they aren't willing to change their entire lifestyle to go and help wherever the global issue is so why is it worth it to become more emotionally invested and only hurt yourself? Often times they're busy enough and immersed in their own lives to ever focus on anything else. Lots of people donate money or volunteer to groups that are better able and designated to help and call it a day. It's not that they're in denial about the events. It's just that it's not happening directly to them so they can toss it aside generally because their focus is on their life and their goals.

I used to ponder the big questions and wonder why the world was such a cruel place to be all the time before realizing that I could dedicate my life to it and still never find the answers. I'm not someone who can change global situations so I leave that to the experts, donate money when I can, and volunteer for my community on the weekends. For me it's not that I don't have the emotional capacity but that I knowingly place limiters on my thoughts and emotions because I don't have the ability to help more than I can.